Tricksters swipe mobile phones from hair salon

Amanda Clay, who runs T’Birds and Pink Ladies in Annesley, was left “gutted” after the shop was targeted by two men.

The men, who were of foreign descent, entered the Forest Road shop on Saturday at about 2.30pm.

They claimed they wanted to book an appointment for their disabled mother and inquired about access.

After being shown around, they then left the building and it was not until a short time later that the workers realised their phones had been swiped from the reception desk.

Amanda said: “We were not suspicious. They seemed genuine and really wanted to do this.

“We were just trying to help them.

“I showed them the back and wheelchair access.

“They made out they could not really speak English.

“They had a leaflet with them which they put on the reception desk, over our phones, and then they took them.

“They were in the shop about seven or eight minutes, and they seemed really genuine, I suppose that’s how they do it and get away with it.

“They said they were Spanish, but they didn’t sound it.

“We were absolutely gutted and really upset. Your life is on a phone – you have your contacts and photographs and everything else.

“It’s the hassle of having to sort it out and I’m angry that they had the audacity to do 
it.

“I suppose it could have been worse so I’m thankful it didn’t turn violent. I just want others to be aware and hope they don’t fall for it.”

The phones taken were a Samsung Galaxy S5 with a gold case, and a red HTC.

One of the men was described as being in his mid 20s, slim, about 6ft, with a beard, hair shaved round the back and sides and slightly longer on top.

He was wearing a red jacket and dark trousers.

The second was about 5ft 8in, in his 20s, with a stocky build and wearing dark clothes.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 499 of March 19, or phone Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.