Police today issued a series of pictures after a 90-year-old man had his debit card stolen and £280 withdrawn from his bank account.

On April 16, between 1pm and 3pm, the man was at Sainsbury’s, in Limborough Road, Wantage, when a woman, talking in a foreign accent, leaned into his car, pointing at a map that she had in her hand.

He used one arm to try and get her away so he could shut the car door but she leaned back into the car, pointing at the map again. The woman then left and shut his car door on his leg. The man noticed the female remained around the entrance to Sainsbury’s and saw a white male stop and talk to her as if they knew each other.

When he was back at home he went to check his receipt and noticed his debit card was missing. He then discovered that £280 had been withdrawn from his account ten minutes after he finished shopping at Sainsbury’s.

The woman was about 5ft 6in tall, of slight build and aged about 40. She had dark hair which was tied up.

The man was white, about 6ft tall, of slim build and aged between 30 and 35.

Police today issued these pictures in an attempt to identify the thieves.

PC Mark Lester said: “The man believes that the woman could have possibly been making the language up.

“This is the second similar incident at Sainsbury’s. The first happened to an 80-year-old lady who was shopping. When she left the store, she noticed a woman standing very close behind her with some flowers.

“Later on in the day she noticed that her purse had been stolen and £500 withdrawn from her account.

“These thefts seem to targeting elderly people. The thieves seem to be watching them shop and are able to obtain their pin number when they go to the checkouts. “I ask anyone who recognises the people in the pictures to contact us as they could help with our investigation and warn shoppers to be aware and careful when they are out shopping.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact PC Lester at Wantage police station on 0845 8 505 505. If you do not wish to speak to police or give your name, contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.