Gangs net thousands in cashpoint stings

Police figures today reveal criminals carried out 50 attacks in three streets — including Oxford Street — in the West End last month.

Officers said the gangs were pocketing up to £500 a time after stealing bank cards in distraction thefts.

The figures show that last month alone there were 20 distraction thefts at automatic telling machines in Oxford Street, 18 in Regent Street and 12 in Charing Cross Road. A similar number of robberies are also taking place around Piccadilly and Covent Garden.

Pc Will Davies, a specialist crime prevention officer in the West End, said the gangs usually act in pairs using simple methods. They approach people using cashpoints and tap them on the shoulder saying they have dropped some money, pointing to a £5 or a £10 note on the floor.

As the victim glances down and turns away from the ATM, a second man nips in and snatches the card from the machine. The gangs usually strike just before midnight so they can collect the limit on the card twice, once before midnight and once afterwards. At other times criminals simply wave a newspaper in someone's face to distract them before carrying out the theft.

Pc Davies said: "There is some concern that criminals are becoming more aggressive. We are making a lot of arrests but we cannot patrol all these cashpoints all the time. This is a prolific and upsetting offence which is netting criminal organisations a fortune but which is slipping under the radar.

"The method of theft is very simple but they are earning a fortune."

The majority of the criminals are believed to be organised gangs of Romanian and Bulgarian gipsies who target busy areas of central London.

Many are children who are operating in Fagin-style gangs. Last week police arrested a 14-year-old boy who was suspected of a series of robberies and who was in possession of £1,000 in cash.

In the past criminals have used devices to retrieve cards from cash machines.

Pc Davies said the public should avoid using cashpoints in crowded areas late at night.

When using ATMs they should be aware of who is around them, avoid making contact with people while using the machines and keep hold of their cards.