PONCHO-wearing pickpockets and bogus charity collectors are targeting residents and businesses.

Police have warned hairdressers and estate agents in Rayleigh to be on their guard after a series of distraction thefts. They are also warning elderly women are being targeted by pickpockets.

Two men who claimed to be deaf, duped hairstylists in Hotshots, in Eastwood Road, Rayleigh and CLU, in Berrys Arcade, High Street, Rayleigh, by waving charity papers at them.

While they distracted staff they stole mobile phones left on the counter.

CLU owner Alison Warry, 48, said: “My phone had a lot of sentimental photographs and those are memories I can’t ever get back.

“If they are caught they should be made to work with deaf or disabled people so they can understand how hard it must be for them.”

Jessica Fisher, 19, who works at Hotshots, said: “I was busy cutting a client’s hair when two men came in and one shoved a piece of paper in my face pretending to collect for charity.

As he did that the other reached to the sink and took my phone. When I realised it had gone I felt so stupid I had been fooled.

“My iPhone 5 was new. I had to pay £500 to replace it.”

The theft comes as police continue to increase foot patrols in the town following a spate of pick-pocketing.

PC Steve Joynes, from Rochford neighbourhood policing team, said: “These crimes could deter people from shopping in Rayleigh, although reports are also being received locally in Southend and Basildon.”

Before Christmas police blitzed the town centre offering advice and purse chains to shoppers, as well as increasing patrols.

One of the pickpockets is pictured wearing a poncho, which police believe is becoming increasingly popular with thieves to easily conceal their pilfered wares.

Mr Joynes added: “It is strongly advised to keep all valuables secured.

“Particularly vulnerable shops are hair salons and estate agents.

“If people fitting the description are seen alert the police. If shopkeepers are confident enough, approach them, follow them or ask them to leave.”

Those involved in the distraction theft on Thursday, are described as an Asian male, aged 25-26 years old, 5ft 9ins tall with black hair which is longer on top, shorter on the sides and may have “tram lines” shaved in. He was wearing a black jacket.

The second is described as a white male, possibly Eastern European appearance with a round face. He is 25-26 years old, 5ft 8ins tall with dark hair which also may have “tram lines” shaved in. He was wearing a khaki jacket and a black flat peak cap.

Two female pickpockets attempted to steal from a handbag on Wednesday, February 11 on the same day several other thefts were reported.