Warning after elderly targeted by thieves in hospital car parks

We are urging the public to be vigilant after we received two reports yesterday (Tuesday 17 December) of elderly people being targeted by thieves as they attempted to pay for parking at two hospitals in Staffordshire.

We were first called at 3.15pm to County Hospital in Stafford after a man was approached by another man while he was looking to pay for his parking.

The victim, a man in his 70s, said he saw that the ticket machine at the car park was being worked on by legitimate workmen when he was approached by an unknown man wearing a mask, holding a card reader. The suspect told the victim he had to pay for parking via this card machine. The victim handed over a card, which didn’t appear to work, then handed over two others for the machine, which the offender then handed back to him.

The suspect then made off in a nearby vehicle. He is described as black, tall and wearing a black face covering. He drove off in a large, black BMW.

We think that the cards may have been cloned by the suspect’s device and are urging anyone who saw what happened or who may have relevant dashcam footage to get in touch. Anyone who witnessed this should contact us on 101 quoting incident number 432 of 17 December.

The second incident took place at Royal Stoke University Hospital at 3.30pm.

The victim, a man in his 80s, was approached at the car park payment machine by a man in a yellow high-vis jacket and a blue baseball cap. The offender is described as Asian, around 6ft in height and of a medium build.

The suspect told the victim there was a new parking system in operation and that he would show him how to use it. The victim handed over his card to the man and then entered his pin into the machine, thinking the suspect had put the card into the machine for him, when he had in fact pocketed it.

When the card wasn’t returned, the suspect asked if the victim had another card and did the same thing again, this time taking a credit card. The suspect then said he would go and get some help, but never returned.

Later the same day, the debit card was recorded as being used in the Newcastle area, with just over £1,000 taken.

Thankfully, the bank has since sent the money stolen back to the victim and two other attempts to use the credit card were unsuccessful.  Anyone who saw what happened or who may have relevant dashcam footage of this incident is asked to contact us on 101 quoting incident number 450 of 17 December.

We are working with both hospitals to gather CCTV and other evidence and are reminding the public on how best to keep themselves safe from personal theft.

• It’s important you never hand over your bank or credit cards to someone you don’t know, even if they look credible, as thieves will take any opportunity to steal your property. All employees of the hospital will carry identification. If in doubt, please ask to see it, they won't mind.
• Remember to never leave your personal property on display and if using cards out-and-about, make sure you replace them quickly into a sealed purse, wallet or bag.
• Do not let yourself be distracted by anyone when your making payments or shopping and always pay attention to your surroundings.

For more personal safety advice, visit: Personal safety: how to stay safe | Staffordshire Police.