POLICE are warning bank customers in the county to be on the alert after two cash machines were found to have been tampered with by criminals earlier this week.

The discoveries were made in Gloucester and the Cotswolds on Tuesday, September 16.

In the first case, a member of the public handed in a device that had been attached to a cash machine outside a supermarket in Cheltenham Road in Gloucester. It is believed the device was placed on the machine the day before.

Meanwhile, a fake front and camera were found on a cash machine outside a bank on Moreton-in-Marsh High Street in the evening after a customer's debit card was swallowed.

It is believed the devices were intended to trap customer bank cards and record PINs, enabling those responsible to steal money from people's accounts.

CCTV and forensic inquiries are ongoing in both cases but anyone with information about either incident should call 101 and quote incident 76 (Gloucester case) or 495 (Moreton-in-Marsh case) of September 16.

PC Annabel Brittain said: “We know people are far more aware of the potential for cash machines to be targeted by thieves and it's great these devices were discovered fairly quickly by vigilant members of the public.

"However, these cases are a salient reminder for people to continue to be alert.

"Don’t let these thieves get away with your hard-earned money: check cash-points carefully and always cover your PIN.

"The message to offenders is don’t do this here – you will be looking at a lengthy prison sentence if you get caught and, if you’re from another country, are likely to be deported.”

Police are also stressing the following crime reduction advice:

1. Report suspicious activity at cash-points straight away

2. If in doubt don’t use the machine

3. Even if it looks okay COVER YOUR PIN (devices can be clever so you may not see them)

4. If your card is trapped call the bank straight away to cancel and, if you are safe and think it’s been captured by an illegal device, stay at the machine until police arrive.