Telford police are warning members of the public to be vigilant when using cashpoints after a 78-year-old man had £900 stolen while in the Town Centre.
The man was withdrawing money from a Lloyds TSB cashpoint on Foregate in Telford Town Centre when he was distracted by a woman who dropped coins on the floor. He stopped to help her pick them up.
It is believed his wallet was stolen and the money withdrawn from his account while he was helping her.
The theft happened on Thursday at about 10.35am.
Sergeant Steve Scott, from the Town Centre policing team, today urged people to be on their guard at all times and to shield their PIN numbers.
He said: “This is not the first incident of this nature that has been reported and it is a particularly heartless crime.
“It appears that elderly people are deliberately being targeted because they are seen as the most vulnerable.
“It’s so easily done and the offender can be miles away within minutes.”
He said the victim of Thursday’s incident was very upset and believed the woman could have been helped by at least one man to carry out the theft.
Sergeant Scott said: “I would like to emphasise quite how important it is for people to take every precaution possible when using a cashpoint and to make sure that no-one else can see their PIN number when they type it in.
“I would also encourage the public to check who is around them as they use a cashpoint and advise that, if they feel suspicious about someone watching them, they cancel their transaction and start again.”
Officers have been studying CCTV footage to see if they can identify the offender or offenders.
Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at Malinsgate Police Station on 08457 444888. Information can be passed on anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
By Lizzie Yates
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