Police have issued CCTV footage of a woman allegedly snatching a computer tablet during a ‘distraction scam’.

Officers say the sting was ‘brazen’ and ‘well-rehearsed’ and involved three people who were captured on the security camera.

The incident took place at the Advanced UK store on Chapel Street, Leigh, at about 4.45pm on Wednesday, July 22. Three people - one man and two women - entered the store and the man asked the shopkeeper for his mobile phone to be unlocked.

One of the women can be seen standing between the man and a third woman, who is then captured on CCTV quickly taking a tablet computer from the counter and stuffing it under her jacket.

Police say that the shopkeeper witnessed what happened and told her to put the device back, which the woman did, and the trio left.

Police have issued a warning to other store owners and are now appealing for the public’s help to identify those on the footage.

PCSO Sean Hurst said: “This was a brazen attempt to distract the shopkeeper and steal a tablet computer. Viewing the CCTV, it looks very much like a well-rehearsed plan by this trio to distract the shopkeeper so they could steal the computer, so we cannot discount the possibility this has either happened before or they could try it again somewhere else.

“That is why we’ve issued the CCTV footage so we can make shopkeepers and businesses aware of this distraction scam, and if these three people enter your store please be on your guard. If you think you know who these people are from the CCTV, then I would also urge you to get in touch with police.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.