Two phones have been stolen during distraction thefts at Starbucks and Costa Coffee in and around St Albans.

The incidents took place at 2.30pm yesterday (Tuesday, November 21) at Costa's café in The Maltings shopping centre and, soon after, at Starbucks in Chiswell Green.

During both incidents, the victims were sat at tables with their phones in front of them, when "Eastern European females" placed a map or large piece of paper over the devices.

Both phones were then taken.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: "Please be alert when you are enjoying a coffee in St Albans!

"Police yesterday received reports of two separate distraction thefts of mobile phones from victims who were sat at tables in coffee shops with their phones in front of them.

"The two suspects were described by victims, in each case, as Eastern European females who placed a map or large piece of paper over the phone, which the victim had left on the table in front of them.

"The phone was stolen in each case."

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Crimes can be reported online at www.herts.police.uk/ro/report by calling the police's non-emergency number 101.

Hertfordshire police's web chat function can be used by visiting herts.police.uk/contact.

Anonymous information can be given by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.