Police officers at Tenby are making inquiries into reports of alleged criminal deceptions in local shops.

The suspects in these offences generally purchase low value items and offer to pay with high value bank notes, typically £20 notes.

During the transaction and whilst change is being handed over, they engage the shop assistant in conversation.

After the cash has been handed to the suspect, they then claim that they have been underpaid. When challenged they invite shop assistants to carry out searches of their person wallets etc.

"The obvious aim of the game is to cause as much confusion as possible during the transaction," said Inspector Les Clark, of the town's police station. "On one occasion, a shop-keeper handed over an extra £30 in change," he pointed out.

Shopkeepers who have experienced this kind of tactic in the last week are requested to contact Pembrokeshire police with a view to tracking down and prosecuting offenders.