We would like to make businesses aware that we have received reports of suspicious activity by males in shops in the South Devon area recently.

Males have entered a shop and purchased high value amounts of tobacco and alcohol, a male took control of the card machine and selected “card not present” making an entry into the card reader using the digits to make payment.

All males appear to be mid 30s and possibly with a South East/London accent.

Please be wary of this and inform staff, please do not let persons take control of card machines and be wary of any possible distraction attempts.

If you have persons you are suspicious of please phone 999.

If you have any information, please contact police via our website here or by calling 101, quoting 798 7 May.