POLICE are continuing to hunt for suspects in a distraction scam in Tewksbury.

They are urging shops to be on their guard against distraction scammers after a sum of money was stolen from a Tewkesbury coffee bar in the High Street at about 6.30pm on May 16, and have released a CCTV image of three men they wish to speak to.

Police are still investigating this so-called ringing the changes offence, similar to offences seen elsewhere, when the suspects appear to have deliberately confused the staff by repeatedly asking to change their money into different denomination notes several times over, finally appearing to withhold £50-worth of notes and not give the money back.

All the while they were rapidly talking to staff in an apparent attempt to distract them.

The three men are believed to be of eastern European appearance and said that they worked in an electrical store and wished to change some money.

It appears one suspect hid the money behind his back when they left the coffee bar.

One of the suspects is believed to be between 25 to 30, about 5 feet 8 inches, wearing a t-shirt and jeans, with short black hair and facial stubble.

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact Gloucestershire Police on 101, quoting Crime number 12429/14.