Following an appeal for information on August 25th, police in Eastbourne have arrested and interviewed a woman over the theft of a phone and bank card from a customer in an local taxi office on July 20th. The woman accepted a formal police caution for the offence, with the agreement of the victim. Officers have thanked members of the public who provided information.

Can you name this woman, suspected of stealing a bank card from a customer in an Eastbourne taxi office?

Just after midday on Monday July 20th, the victim visited Sussex Cars taxi office in Pevensey Road, Eastbourne, to order a taxi.

When leaving she she forgot her mobile phone, an Experia L10 valued at between £200 and £300, which she had put down on the seat next to her, the phone was in a case and in one pocket of the case was her bank card.

CCTV from the taxi office shows a man and woman entering the office. The woman sees the phone sitting on the seat and sits down next to it while at the same time sliding it along the bench so it is concealed by her body. She then uses a facemask that she had just picked up from a communal box to pick up the phone and conceal it in her handbag. She then quickly stands up and leaves.

The card was then used four times before the victim realised and cancelled it PC Jason Morgan says: “The money that was spent included funds for her husband’s disability living allowance, causing her yet further stress.

“This was a particularly despicable sneak theft and we are sure someone can put a name to this suspect. If you can help please contact us online or by calling 101, quoting serial 782 of 20/07.

“You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”