A senior Braintree police officer has thwarted a con trick at a cash machine in the town.

Insp Joe Wrigley was using the machine at the Nationwide Building Society in Bank Street when his card and cash were not returned.

He examined the slot and found a plastic device had been placed over it, trapping his card. When he pulled it away the card and cash came out.

A colleague said: "He had not seen one before, but being an officer he was aware of what is done. Publicity will make people aware that it is a very simple device that is used."

Normally thieves wait until the victim goes off to complain about their card being trapped, then remove the cash and the card.

Warnings have been given in the past about the con trick being used in the town, with people being urged to stand by machines where possible if they have a problem.

The card scam was first used in the Braintree and Witham area in January last year by a foreign woman and later by a gang. The woman was said to have got away with thousands of pounds.

Police said crooks blocked the slot of cash machines, then noted the pin number by looking over the customer's shoulder.

An Eastern European gang carried out another cash machine scam in Braintree at least four times in November.

One unlucky customer had £1,700 stolen from his account after being distracted as he used the Natwest machine in High Street.

Published Friday, January 24, 2003

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