Car dealers are being warned to be vigilant after four distraction thefts in three weeks from garage forecourts.

The cars have been stolen from the forecourts of car dealers.

The first took place between 9 and 9.30am on Monday December 29 when a man asked to look at a black Ford Ka for sale in Austin Fields, Kings Lynn.

The salesperson was distracted to answer the phone which was a wrong number call. When he returned to the forecourt, the car had been stolen.

On Sunday January 4 at around 10.35am a silver Fiat Cinqecento was stolen from a forecourt in Yarmouth Road, Caister.

Between 12pm and 2pm on Friday January 9 a man asked to look at a silver Vauxhall Astra at a garage on Sidegate Road, Great Yarmouth.

The salesperson left the man to answer the telephone, however, when he returned the car had been taken.

The most recent incident happened on Monday January 19 between 8.30am and 9.15am.

A man went into a garage on Lynn Road in Swaffham and asked to look at a dark blue Astra. The owner left the man to look at the car, who then drove off and did not return.

Superintendent Roger Wiltshire said: “Officers are currently investigating these incidents and we are looking into the possibility that they may be linked, however, I would urge car dealers or anyone who is selling a car privately to be extra cautious and vigilant when selling vehicles and to take necessary precautions to prevent them becoming victim to this type of scam.”

Anyone with information about any of these incidents should contact Norfolk Constabulary on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.