Shop owners foil distraction theft attempt

Around lunchtime on Friday, February 15, two suspicious men parked up near The Jewellery Shop, Bakewell.

The passenger went into the jewellers to enquire about wedding rings.

Moments later, the other man in the car burst into the store confrontationally and began pressing on the counter in an aggressive manner – seemingly to distract owner Richard Croft.

After becoming concerned, Richard bundled the pair out of his store, before locking up and heading to see neighbour Dianne Hawksworth, of Pitstop Pie and Deli.

But while Richard was calling the police, Dianne noticed the pair try their luck at another store.

“I clocked them going into the hairdressers next door,” said Dianne.

“As they didn’t know anything was untoward I went to warn them it was a possible distraction theft going on.”

Empty handed, the pair got in their car and drove in the direction of Matlock.

They were stopped by police in Rowsley and were found to be driving an uninsured, untaxed vehicle, which officers confiscated.