Bogus parking scam and 'distraction thefts' sees Derbyshire Police launch appeal
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have since issued a reminder to the public that if you are on site the only way to pay for parking is via the payment machines situated outside the main entrance, in Car Park 6 and Car Park 7.
Derbyshire Police is appealing for information following reports of a bogus parking scam and series of distraction thefts across the county.
The police are investigating two incidents at ASDA petrol station in Midland Street, Long Eaton, at about 9am on Thursday May 15, 2025.
A man was putting fuel into his car at the pay at the pump terminal when he was approached by another man who took his card from him and gave it to another man who then withdrew a significant amount of money from a nearby ATM.
At around the same time, a man was trying to withdraw some cash from an ATM when he was approached by a man telling him that the machine was malfunctioning and asked him to cancel the transaction.
The victim later noticed that money had been taken from his account.
A similar distraction theft happened at about 11.10am at the Sainsbury’s Petrol Station in Nottingham Road, Ripley.
Two men approached a woman who was putting fuel into her car. One of them claimed that he worked for Sainsbury’s and was there to assist her.
After filling the car up, the two men left and drove off. At this point the victim realised her bank card had been stolen.
A short while later a woman was using the ATM machine at the Lloyds Bank in High Street, Alfreton, at about 11.30am when she was distracted by man who then took her card out of the machine and ran off.
Shortly after 1pm in the afternoon, a woman was approached in the car park of Chesterfield Royal Hospital by a man wearing a high visibility jacket and a face mask who told her she couldn’t park there and needed to pay.
The victim later realised her bank card had been taken and a significant amount of money had been stolen.
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have since issued a reminder to the public that if you are on site, the only way to pay for parking is via the payment machines situated outside the main entrance, in Car Park 6 and Car Park 7.
Alternatively, you can pay on the barrier on exit. If you see anything suspicious or are approached by anyone asking you to pay directly then please contact the hospital security team on 01246 513634 or via the Security Office that is in the main entrance to the hospital.
Officers from the Neighbourhood Acquisitive Crime Team are investigating the incidents and have arrested two men, aged in their 20s and 40s, and enquiries are ongoing.
Derbyshire Police believe there could be other victims who were targeted in the car park of the hospital and elsewhere.
They would like any witnesses or members of public who believe they may have been a victim, to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police using one of the methods below and please quote incident number 25*281070:
- Website – Crime reporting tools on website: use our online contact form
- Facebook – send a private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page
- Phone – call on 101
You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.