Police plea for help after thefts

POLICE are investigating after a man stole more than £20,000 of jewellery from two shops in Oldham and Wigan.

Shortly before 12.30 on Saturday, July 8, police were called to Oldham's Town Square shopping centre after reports of shoplifting.

A man walked into the store posing as a customer and asked to look at two high-value rings before snatching them out of the staff member's hand and fleeing towards the market.

Police are linking the incident to another theft from Tyldesley Arcade, Wigan, on Friday, June 9.

A man entered a jewellers posing as a customer looking to buy an engagement ring, but when the staff member was distracted, the man took the rings and fled.

DC Andrew Day, of GMP's Oldham Borough, said: "While it is fortunate that no weapons were used, it was a frightening experience for the staff who were simply trying to earn an honest living.

"We believe these two incidents may be linked and we need the public's help.

"If you were in the area and know anything that could help our investigation, then I'd urge you to contact us."

Call police on 101, quoting incident number 1012 of 09/06/17 or 1034 of 08/07/17, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.