A “PROFESSIONAL thief” is targeting “lone women” working in shops in Leigh Broadway, a business owner has claimed after hundreds of pounds were snatched from her till. 

Lisa Blatch, owner of Scape Interiors, has issued the urgent warning to business owners as police investigate the theft from her shop. 

During the incident, Lisa claims the thief pretended he was in the shop to collect an order before emptying the til as staff checked out back. 

She said: “He was seen walking along Leigh Road, obviously he was a professional because of his get up.

“He had a cap on as he walked into shops along the Broadway, with white cotton gloves in his pocket that he could put on quickly.

“The guy was casing shops then walking out of the back, he even walked into a women’s pyjama shop which the owners thought was very strange, people have told me about this.”

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The incident, on Friday, was reported to Essex Police and an investigation has been launched.

The alleged thief was described as wearing a khaki North Face jacket and a pair of blue jeans.

Lisa’s colleague told her he had already been to the store a few hours before the money was reported as missing. 

Lisa added: “He cleaned out the entire till and we didn’t realise until hours later because we were only taking card payments.

“He said he was coming in to pick up an order of cushions which we had to look for in the back.

“Whilst we were looking, he did some sort of manual override to open the till and took all the money, I don’t even know how he did it really.”

Lisa looked over the CCTV footage on Monday and decided to post it as a warning to other shop owners.

She said: “A few stores in the Broadway are run by women and those are the ones he is targeting.

“The cotton gloves mean he is leaving no fingerprints so we have reported it to the police and hope someone will recognise him.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are investigating a burglary reported to have taken place at a business in Broadway, Leigh, shortly after 12.30pm on Friday, June 2.

“Our enquiries continue and anyone who has information that could help us is asked to call 101 and quote crime reference 42/100946/23.” this.”