Maidenhead residents have been warned about a conman operating in the town centre.

An alert was raised on behalf of Thames Valley Police by neighbourhood watch co-ordinator Jeffrey Pick. Several shop staff have reported a man entering shops and looking for mobile phones on the shop’s counters. The man has successfully stolen mobile phones by placing something over the top of the phone, before picking the phone up and then leaving the store.

At a shop in Shifford Crescent, a young man entered a shop claiming he was with his mother. He approached the shop assistant and asked for change for a £20 note. When the assistant was distracted, they stole her mobile phone which was on the counter.

A further report was made when a man entered a shop on Bridge Street and asked the assistant to change £240 worth of £10 and £20 notes. The man then changed his mind and asked the shop assistant for a different amount of change. Eventually, the man asked for the notes back, and after he left, the assistant realised in his confusion the man had left with £440.

The man is described as possibly Romanian, in his 30’s, approximately 5”9 tall with short gelled hair. If you have any information, you can call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with any information.