DETECTIVES are urging people using cash points in Cambridge to be on their guard following a number of thefts.All of the thefts and attempted thefts have involved distraction techniques. Victims have pushed their card into the cash point slot and ente

DETECTIVES are urging people using cash points in Cambridge to be on their guard following a number of thefts.

All of the thefts and attempted thefts have involved distraction techniques.

Victims have pushed their card into the cash point slot and entered their pin. Two women, speaking with Eastern European accents, have then approached the victim from either side waving a newspaper in front of the screen and asking for money to buy food.

While distracting the victim, one of them has made at least a �200 withdrawal. They both leave after taking the money. The victim hasn't realised and then finds their card has been returned.

A witness appeal was issued last week after a 74-year-old man used the Barclays cash point in Market Hill. On this occasion �300 was stolen.

On Friday, December 4, a 22-year-old man had �200 stolen from the same ATM.

On Sunday, December 13, a 28-year-old man lost �200 to the thieves at Nat West in St Andrews Street and a 27-year-old woman at Barclays in Market Hill foiled an attempt by two women and a man to take �200.

Two more such incidents took place at city centre cash points (December 15). One of them happened at 1pm at the Nat West ATM in Market Street. The victim prevented the theft of �200 after grabbing the money before the offenders - this time it was a man and woman.

Ten minutes later �200 was stolen as a 31-year-old woman attempted to withdraw money from Barclays in Market Hill.

DC Paul Evans, who is issuing the warning, said: "People should be alert to the tactics used by these thieves. Thankfully two people have realised what was happening, and although money was released by the cash point, the victims managed to grab it before the offenders.

"We are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry but until these people are caught, do not fall prey to their distraction tactics.

"I would ask shoppers and workers in the city centre who see anyone behaving suspiciously near cash points to call police."

INFO: Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Evans at Parkside Police Station on 0345 456 456 4 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.