Police investigate spate of unusual distraction cashpoint thefts across south Wales

Officers suspect two men are working together to commit crimes and are specifically targeting elderly victims.

The person captured by CCTV wearing the cap duped the victims into thinking the cashpoint was broken and convinced them to go into the bank. Whilst they went inside the thief withdrew the maximum £500 out of their accounts.

One incident involved an 88 year-old victim and occurred at the Lloyds Bank cashpoint in Wyndham Street, Bridgend, at 11.30am.

Another incident involved an 86 year-old victim and occurred less than 30 minutes later at the Lloyds cashpoint in John Street, Porthcawl.

The man pictured who isn’t wearing a cap is thought to be the driver of a vehicle they made off in.
It is thought that the men may be from outside the area and travelled in to commit the crimes.

There have been similar incidents reported at the Lloyds branch in Roath, Cardiff which happened at around 4.30pm on Wednesday, 2 March, and at the Lloyds branch in Windsor Road, Neath between 3pm-4pm on the same day.

Bridgend Local Policing Inspector Melanie Knight, said: “We believe that anybody who knows them will recognise them from the pictures.

“They have committed despicable crimes and have targeted elderly victims – they must be caught.
“We believe they may try to commit further crimes so are urging people to be vigilant and to report anybody acting suspiciously near cashpoints.”
Anybody with information to contact 101 quoting reference *72921 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.