A WOMAN spent three minutes giving a “lost” couple directions from Wisbech to Oxford... only to find out later that she had been preyed upon by distraction burglars.

Police issued a warning about distraction thefts on community website ShapeYourPlace after the incident, which took place on January 15 at a supermarket in Wisbech.

As the woman drew cash out of an ATM she became aware of two people, a man and a woman, standing behind her.

Posting on ShapeYourPlace, PCSO Terry McCormack said: “She loaded the shopping into the boot of her car, the bag with the purse onto the passenger seat and was about to drive off when a man in his 30s, white, slim build, short brown to fair hair, carrying a large map approached her.

“He explained that he was lost and wanted to go to Oxford. She got out of the car and the man put the map on the roof of the car obscuring the driver’s window.

“She explained the route to Oxford in about three minutes. The man thanked her and left.

“It was only when she returned home that she realised that the purse was missing and her cards had been used to withdraw a significant amount of cash.

“Please be aware of where your wallet/purse are at all times. Although not all lost people are thieves, there are many kinds of distractions that can take place to separate you from your possessions.”