An elaborate attempt to steal cash from bank customers was foiled in Marsden.

An eagle-eyed customer using the cash machine outside the Co-op store in Peel Street spotted an iPod taped to the machine - filming the keypad.

And it has emerged there was a similar attempt at the store days earlier.

Police are investigating and have seized the iPod and a metal device fitted over the card reader.

They are also studying CCTV footage from the scene.

The scam was foiled by plasterer Brad Hancock who called at the shop to withdraw cash this morning to pay out wages.

“I thought it had swallowed up my card but then spotted something on top of the machine.

“It was a very thin iPod taped to the top and it was lucky I spotted it.

“I had a look around by could not see anyone but guess they must have been in the area to grab my card and take away the iPod”.

Mr Hancock alerted staff in the store and also rang police.

The ATM cash machine located at the Co-operative store on Peel Street, Marsden
The ATM cash machine located at the Co-operative store on Peel Street, Marsden

“I got a screwdriver out of my toolbox and found that a metal sleeve had been fitted over the card reader, which let me get my card back out.

”I had a walk up and down the street to see if I could spot anyone as I reckoned they must have been somewhere close to the store to move in when I walked away”

West Yorkshire Police confirmed they are investigating.

A spokesman said: “Police were called to a report of a ‘skimming’ device being attached to an ATM cash machine outside the Co-op supermarket on Peel Street, Marsden.

“This followed a report from a male customer who had his card taken by an attachment which had been fitted to the ATM. The customer was then able to detach the skimming device, which included part of a mobile phone, and retrieve his bank card. The device was then passed to staff in the Co-op store.

The Valleys Neighbourhood Police Insp Mark Trueman said: “An investigation is underway and anyone seeing anyone acting suspicious in the area of the machine is asked to contact The Valleys Neighbourhood Policing Team via: 101.”

Almost eight million Britons use a cash point every day amounting to three billion withdrawals every year.

Cash machine crime tripled last year in the UK with thieves using more sophisticated tactics like “skimming”.

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