Public urged to be vigilant following distraction thefts at ATMs in Chester

Police investigating two distraction thefts at cash machines in Chester are urging members of the public to be vigilant.

One of the attempted thefts occurred at around 10.30am at the Tesco cash machine on Chester Road in Helsby and the other took place at around 1pm at the Asda ATM on Park Road in Chester.

Both offences occurred on Thursday 13 October involving a man approaching the person who was using the machine from behind and engaging in a conversation.

The man tells the member of the public that the cash machine isn’t working and tells them to press various buttons which leads them to be confused and then distracted and an opportunity to steal the bank card or money.

Officers believe similar incidents may have also taken place in Warrington and Runcorn.

Sergeant Andrew Davies, of Chester local policing unit, said:

“We have received numerous reports of a man targeting vulnerable people at cash machines in an attempt to confuse and distract them by saying the ATM isn’t working in order to steal their bank card or money.

“While we review CCTV footage to identify this man I want to remind people to be aware of who may be around them, or might start engaging in conversation with them, and to report any suspicious looking behaviour.

“If you believe you may have been a victim of this type of crime and have information that could help with the investigation please report it to police.”

Information can be provided by visiting the Cheshire Constabulary website https://www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us or by calling 101.