DETECTIVES have issued two CCTV images of a man and woman who could have information that may assist with enquiries following thefts that occurred in St Helens and Birkenhead.

On Wednesday, April 24, an elderly woman is reported to have been approached by a man inside TJ Hughes in St Helens asking about a dress, and while the victim was distracted, a woman allegedly stole her handbag.

Police say that when the victim noticed this, the woman dropped the bag but ran off from the shop with money from inside the purse of the bag.

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St Helens Star: Two victims reported that they were distracted before personal items were stolenTwo victims reported that they were distracted before personal items were stolen (Image: Merseyside Police)
A similar incident was also reported at around 2.30pm on Friday, April 5 in Birkenhead, Wirral.

After leaving a Santander bank on Grange Road, an elderly man said he was followed by a man and woman to Borough Pavement, where a dye or paint was thrown over his coat.

The man removed his coat and placed it in his car and said he was distracted by a man and woman who stopped and told him he had a flat tyre.

The man then allegedly stole the coat from the victim’s car and ran from the area. A member of the public chased the man and retrieved the coat he had stolen.

Since the two incidents extensive CCTV and witness enquiries have been conducted in the area, and detectives have now issued CCTV images of a man and woman they believe could assist in their investigation.

St Helens Star: CCTV images picked up a couple the police wish to speak withCCTV images picked up a couple the police wish to speak with (Image: Merseyside Police)
 Inspector Nicola Hughes said: “These were crimes that has caused vulnerable shoppers in our community to be targeted.

“I want to reassure residents and shoppers in the area that we are conducting a thorough investigation to find those responsible.

“We think the man and woman pictured may have vital information to help our enquiries so if you know them, please come forward as soon as possible.

“If you recognise them, or the images jogs your memory about any suspicious behaviour you may have seen whilst shopping in the area please contact us.

“Similarly, If you have any CCTV footage from Friday 5 April or Wednesday 24 April please contact us so we can continue to investigate this incident.”

Witnesses are asked to contact police if you have any information on this incident, via @MerPolCC on X or by calling 101 quoting reference 24000375410.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form here.