Avon and Somerset Police have issued CCTV images as part of an investigation into theft and fraud offences in the centre of Bath between 5th July and 13th September 2018.
Two men have been preying on vulnerable women; targeting them when they use banks and cash machines in busy city centres.
Working as a team, they repeatedly walk separately between banks and ATMs looking for lone older females who are carrying shoulder or open type bags.
They observe these women use the ATM, film the PIN entry on their mobile phones, and watch carefully where the woman then puts the bank card they have used and any cash they have drawn out.
The men then follow their victim on foot, and when one of them then distracts the woman by engaging her in conversation and activity, the other will steal the bank card and any cash from the bag.
This man then goes straight to the nearby ATM to use the bank card, utilising the filmed PIN entry.
If the PIN is successful the culprits may go on to fraudulently use the card in nearby shopping outlets. The men are known to use distraction technique of approaching their victim and saying to them that they are the same size as the offender’s mother, and could the victim help them in choosing a coat of the correct size.
If you can help, call Avon and Somerset Police on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5218205884.
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111.
No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court or have to speak to police when contacting Crimestoppers.