Spate of cash thefts at post offices

Police are hunting a gang of thieves who have targeted postoffices in the North-east.

All believed to be Asian, they have pocketed hundreds of poundsusing sleight of hand while changing cash.

The thefts have taken place in Garthdee and Bucksburn in Aberdeenand in Stonehaven.

One of the men was described as being between 35 and 40-years-old, between 5ft 6in and 5ft 8in tall, and speaking very littleEnglish.

He was wearing a black jacket, dark trousers and had gold teeth.

The gang are believed to have stolen the money by sleight ofhand, distracting staff while the cash was taken. The first incidenthappened at the post office in Kaimhill Road, Garthdee.

There was a similar incident at the post office in the Spar inAllardyce Street, Stonehaven, and in the town's Arduthie post officelocated in the Co-op supermarket in Kirkton Road.

In another incident, more than pounds1,000 was taken.

Inspector Davie Threadgold of Grampian Police said: "Theseincidents have all followed a similar pattern with the mendistracting the staff while they were dealing with his transactions.The staff have only noticed the discrepancies after the men haveleft the premises."