CROOKS are cashing in on the season of goodwill by robbing people at bank machines in broad daylight.

Today, police issued a new warning for shoppers to take extra precautions to guard against the cruel thieves who are making the most of the festive season and a packed town centre to prey on cash machine customers.

Some criminals use brute force to seize cash after customers have withdrawn notes from the wall.

But others - as in the case of Pauline Greaves - are using more subtle techniques, claiming the machine is faulty and conning shoppers to let them press buttons on the panel to withdrawn cash.

Urgent

Police are investigating several recent cases in Bolton town centre.

Police community safety officer PC Stuart Ashall has issued an urgent set of guidelines in a bid to thwart the thieves.

Be aware of who is around you.

Only take out the amount of cash you need.

Never withdraw cash if you are suspicious of anyone nearby.

Shield your hand from view when you enter your PIN code and put money away securely in purses and bags straight away.

If you suspect you are being followed, walk to somewhere busy and safe such as a shop and tell someone you are being followed.

Carry a personal attack alarm; and if possible take a friend to the machine with you when you withdraw cash.

PC Ashall said: "If you have someone with you they can help shield you and if there is a problem with the machine they can stay there and guard it while you go into the bank to report the problem."

He added: "If you do decide to take out a large amount of cash at one time to buy something in the sales try and spread the money around your person rather than having it all in one place."

PC Ashall said: "If, despite taking precautions, you find yourself under attack by someone grabbing money it is better to let them take it, rather than risk serious injury to yourself.

"Don't be a hero, it is safer to walk away."

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