THE manager of a community venue in Middlewich is urging businesses to be vigilant after two stores were swindled out of money on the same day.

Amanda Drayton, of MoCoCo, says she wants to make sure shopkeepers are aware that criminals were operating in Wheelock Street, last week.

The coffee bar and youth centre, which is part of Middlewich Community Church, was scammed out of £30, last Wednesday at about 4pm.

Amanda said: “It hits us hard because we’re a charity trying to supply the community with a service.

“Thirty pounds to us is a lot. With the proposed parking charges and everything else, we’re struggling as it is.”

The con artist paid for a 70p bottle of water in Mococo using a £20 note. He then claimed he had the correct change and handed back the money in return for the note.

However, the staff member realised later that the man had only given him half of the change.

After drinking the water, he then claimed that the worker had not given him the £20 and demanded another note.

“He was so convincing and so intimidating that my catering assistant thought he must be right,” Amanda added.

A similar incident occurred on the same day when a woman entered Bargain Booze on Wheelock Street. Police suspect that the pair are accomplices.

PSCO Lorraine Carless, of Middlewich community action team, said: “Anyone who feels intimidated can refuse to serve the person, get their manager or even call the police.

“These people usually go into busy places and can confuse the person behind the till as they are rushed off their feet.

“It doesn’t happen regularly in the Middlewich area but shopkeepers need to be mindful, take their time and be careful.

“People make a living by targeting places like this.”

PSCO Carless also advised shop workers to leave pound notes at the side of the till during transactions to limit the chance of any confusion.