Thief snatches Rolex watch from pensioner's wrist in car park in Stanley Road, Highcliffe

POLICE are hunting a thief who snatched a Rolex watch from a pensioner’s wrist in Highcliffe during the latest in a string of similar offences.

The victim, a man in his 70s, was targeted as he returned to his vehicle in a car park in Stanley Road around 12.45pm on Saturday 17th July.

A woman approached him and took the high-value watch from his left wrist, leaving him with bruising to his left hand, and fled towards the Co-op in Lymington Road.

Last seen heading to the car park at the rear of the store, she was described as about 5ft 6in to 5ft 8in tall, slim build, with a tanned complexion, and shoulder-length black hair with a silver hair clip with a black clasp at the back. She was wearing black trousers and a floral pattern shirt.

The robbery followed similar incidents in which Rolex watches were targeted, including one at Ferndown Golf Club on Wednesday 14th July and another in Wimborne High Street the following day.

Those who saw any suspicious activity or may have captured any footage on their vehicle’s dashcam are urged to get in touch.

The public is also warned to be wary of offenders looking to steal high-value watches and jewellery.

PC Jim Perks said: “This watch was of sentimental value to the victim as well as being expensive, and we are carrying out a number of enquiries to try and identify the woman responsible for this robbery.”

He added: “Finally, we have had a number of incidents of a similar nature in recent days and I would again remind people to be vigilant and be particularly careful if you are wearing any high-value watches or jewellery and are approached in suspicious circumstances.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset officers on 101, quoting crime reference number 55210114276, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.