POLICE in Blackpool are warning hoteliers to be aware of a gang of men who are stealing from elderly visitors.

In the past week there have been four incidents at Promenade hotels in which two men have staged a mock fight while a third has snatched the wallet from a distracted visitor.

The latest incident occurred on Easter Monday when three men entered the Seymour Hotel, Queens Promenade, at 7.35pm on the pretext of booking a room.

Once inside, they followed a 75-year-old visitor from Tavistock, Devon, up the stairs and while two of the men pretended to fight, the third stole the visitor's wallet before all three fled from the hotel with £450 cash.

Other incidents took place at the Cliffs Hotel, the Metropole and the Savoy, with the victims being a 60-year-old man from Glasgow, an 84-year-old man from Accrington and a 63-year-old Leicester man.

Police have built up a picture of the three men they believe have committed these crimes. All three speak with a local accent and the first is described as between 30 and 40 years of age, 5ft 9ins, clean shaven with dark hair.

The second is thought to be aged between 20 and 30, stocky build, 5ft 8ins and with dark hair; and the third is in his late teens or early 20s and has dark hair tied in a ponytail.

Detective Sergeant Barry Oldham of Blackpool CID said: "I would ask hoteliers to make their elderly visitors aware of this type of incident.

"These people prey on the elderly whom they regard as an easy target."

If anyone has any information about these crimes they should contact Blackpool police on 293933, or DS Oldham on 745126.

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