Necklace con used to steal jewellery in Southampton

The pair of women pretend they are being friendly when they approach shoppers or residents and try to sell them necklaces and bracelets.

They place the cheap necklaces over the victims’ heads, pleading for the passers-by to buy them or telling them they are free.

But when they are asked to take them off, they steal the expensive necklace and leave the cheap one.

Before the person realises what has happened, the two women make off.

In one case, the 68-year-old victim was even hugged and kissed before the brazen robbers fled.

Police have urged people to contact them with any information after at least five known cases of the unusual thefts in Southampton since the start of the year.

In the latest case on Wednesday May 4, just before 1.30pm, a woman was targeted on Portswood Broadway.

When she said she did not want the necklaces around her neck, the women took her gold necklace worth around £1,400 and left her with a cheap one. It is thought the suspects made off on a bus.

Other cases happened in Kingsland Market on April 9, Bevois Valley Road on March 26, Butts Road in Sholing on February 6 and Derby Road on January 29.

In two of the cases the thieves were unsuccessful as their victim realised what was happening.

In most cases the thieves are described as two women who look Asian or Eastern European. One had darker skin than the other, she was also fatter than the other woman. In the Portswood Broadway incident one was wearing a long skirt the other thin trousers with a long over top. The thinner one also wore a distinctive bright head scarf in at least two of the incidents.

Officers are now appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information about who the women may be to contact them. They would also like to hear from anyone else who may have been a victim who hasn’t yet reported the incident. They are asked to call PC Barbara Dixon at Southampton Central Police Station on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.