Police have warned people to be on guard at car parks and petrol stations after an elderly woman fell victim to a distraction theft.

The woman in her 70s was targeted while at the Esso petrol station in Bushey Heath High Road at around 12.55pm on Thursday, September 26.

She was approached and told by a man that she needed to go to the nearby cash point, during which time her bank card was taken.

PC Luke Hinchliffe, from the Bushey and Radlett Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “In this case, an elderly woman was told she had a parking fine. To cancel this, she was directed to a cash machine where she was told she had to type in her registration plate and put her card into the machine.

“We are asking for people to be on their guard in car parks or petrol garages and report any suspicious behaviour to us immediately via 101.”

The suspect is described as an Asian man, aged in his late 30s, approximately 5ft 7ins tall and of small to medium build. He was wearing a black jacket and black trousers.

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​Anyone who is unsure about anything they are being told to do in a petrol station has been urged to go to the store and ask staff.

“Please remember to always keep your purse or wallet with you and never leave it unattended in your vehicle,” the PC added.

Information can be reported to police via non-emergency number 101 or the force’s website, quoting reference 41/80584/24.