POLICE have released CCTV images of two men they want to speak to after a woman was conned into handing over hundreds of pounds for two bottles of lemonade.

At around 11.20am on Tuesday, July 16, the victim was walking along The Cross when she was approached by a man who asked her if she would like to buy a laptop and a mobile phone. The man claimed he needed the money for an emergency.

The woman followed the man to his car, parked on Sansome Street, where he showed her a black bag containing an Apple laptop, an iPad and two iPhones.

They agreed a price of £520 for the computers and one of the phones, and the pair walked to a bank on The Cross where she withdrew the money.

She then handed over the cash to the man, took the bag – which she believed contained the items she had bought – from him and continued on her journey.

“Unfortunately, when she checked inside the bag,” said PC Alex Horsley, “she found no computers or phones – just two bottles of lemonade. We believe that at some point outside the bank, the bag with the laptops was swapped for a different bag with the drinks in.”

PC Horsley added: “We are keen to speak to the men in these images as we believe they may have information which could help us with our inquiries. If you know who they are then please call us on 0300 333 3000 quoting reference 170S 160713.

“In light of this offence, we would also like to urge people to think twice before buying items from anyone who approaches them in the street or is selling goods from a vehicle.

“No matter how convincing their sob-story sounds, please don’t be taken in by them or hand over any money, as it is highly likely to be a scam.”

Anyone who knows the identity of the men in the images can also call the Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.