Cashpoint Warning (From today's ET)

Courtesy Peterborough Evening Telegraph By KIRSTEN BEACOCK Published on Wednesday 30 March 2011 09:36

CITY cashpoint users are being warned to be vigilant after a gang of thieves struck in Cathedral Square. The four-strong gang targeted the victim as they were taking a sum of money out of a Barclays Bank cash machine in Church Street on Tuesday (29 March). One of the gang distracted the victim, who turned away from the machine and in that moment another member of the gang snatched the cash from the cash point. After grabbing what police described as a “reasonable sum of money” the gang, who were all dressed in dark jackets and jeans, then ran off with their haul across Cathedral Square and into the grounds of Peterborough Cathedral at around 1.44pm. Just minutes earlier at around 1.35pm, another person using the cash machine outside NatWest in Cathedral Square was approached by a stranger who started pressing buttons on the keypad. The person managed to cancel their transaction and the would-be thief made off empty-handed. Police are now investigating to see whether the two incidents are linked. They will also be looking at CCTV footage from Cathedral Square to try to identify the gang involved. And officers are urging any shoppers or workers who saw the two incidents or the gang fleeing across the square to come forward with any information they may have. They are also warning people who use cash points to be vigilant when taking cash out. A spokesman for the police said: “We are urging anyone who may have seen this group of four running across the square and into the Cathedral grounds to call us. “It would appear that they have carried out a distraction type theft, with one of the group distracting the cashpoint user, while the other one takes the money. We would remind anyone using cash points to be extra careful when taking money out.” The move is the latest scam to hit Cathedral Square cash point users after hundreds of users had their accounts plundered by card fraudsters in February. They had been caught in a high-tech trap laid by the card scammers which targeted cash machines at six branches of the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society, including the Cathedral Square branch. The police spokesman added: “The likelihood of becoming a fraud victim at a cash machine is very low and the following points will help keep your cards and cash safe. “Always put your own safety first, don’t use a cash machine if you notice anyone behaving suspiciously around it or you spot anything suspicious on the cash machine itself – and report your suspicions to the bank concerned or the police. “If your card is retained by the cash machine contact your card issuer immediately.” Anyone with information should call police on 0345 456 4564 or CALL CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111 They will never ask for your name, trace your call, you won't need to go to Court. Registered Independent Charity not connected to Police. (C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch,Peterborough,UK Tel: 01733 345581 >> Broadcast ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT Media Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581 http://tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW