Thieves posing as police to rob Edinburgh tourists

THIEVES in Edinburgh have been robbing visitors to the capital by posing as police officers and asking to search tourists’ bags.
Police in Edinburgh are on the hunt for the thieves. Picture: Lisa FergusonPolice in Edinburgh are on the hunt for the thieves. Picture: Lisa Ferguson
Police in Edinburgh are on the hunt for the thieves. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

In the last three weeks, there have been over ten recorded incidents of theft in the city centre.

The most recent robbery took place on Wednesday May 21, when a mother and daughter visiting from Chile had over £1000 stolen.

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A man approached the pair on Magdala Crescent, who handed them a camera and asked if they could take a photo of him.

Shortly after, two men appeared, claiming to be plain-clothes police officers, and demanded to check their identities after showing a photo card with ‘police’ on it.

They searched the man, then looked through a bag belonging to the two tourists.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Houston said: “Unfortunately the so-called ‘officers’ act so quickly that the victims are being duped into thinking the cash is still in their wallets or bags.

“We would urge members of the public to look out for men who are acting suspiciously, especially around tourists, and contact police immediately the minute they see something untoward.”

There are three suspects linked to a number of the crimes.

An Asian male in his late 30s / early 40s, 5ft 10 and of medium build; an Asian male in his mid-40s, 5ft 7in and of slim build and the third is of Mediterranean appearance, aged between 30 and 35, 6ft 2in and of medium build.

They are believed to generally wear dark clothing, and often have earpieces visible.

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