A Harrogate hairdresser wants to raise awareness of a scam after two men claiming to be window cleaners stole her mobile phone.
Linzi Underwood had been working at Harrogate Hair Studio on St Mark’s Avenue for just two weeks when the incident occurred on Monday.
She was with a client just before midday when two men entered and waved around paperwork. She said one of them “came within half a metre of my face” and, unable to speak much English, just kept shouting “window cleaning, window cleaning”.
Within 30 seconds the pair had distracted Ms Underwood and her client enough to steal her phone and run away.
She described the experience as “intimidating”. She said her client just froze in the chair and with a man shouting in her face Ms Underwood felt powerless to do anything.
She said:
“I’m guessing they watched and waited for my colleague to leave because within two minutes they were in the shop.”
Ms Underwood’s phone contains all her bookings and client details so she is struggling to make new appointments.
She added:
“It would be great to have my phone back but I know that’s unlikely. Now I want to raise awareness. After posting on social media so many people commented saying a similar scam had happened near them.”
Ms Underwood reported the incident to police as soon as it happened and officers visited today to collect CCTV footage.
She said it is clear on CCTV the men make hand gestures in the mirror to indicate they had stolen something.
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Under investigation
North Yorkshire Police has said the “investigation is ongoing”. It said it was aware another Harrogate business was targeted by the scammers on the same day.
A spokesperson said:
“Both incidents are under investigation. If anyone else believes they have also been targeted by the two men, please report it to North Yorkshire Police.
“We urge businesses to be alert to the tactic that uses distraction and intimidation to distract staff while the suspects steal their property.”
To report a crime head to www.northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, if you are threatened, always call 999.
The reference number for this case is 12220061129.