Witness appeal following fraud incident in Hitchin

Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a fraud in Hitchin involving a vulnerable elderly man.

The victim was approached by another man in Waitrose car park, Bedford Road around 1150am on Wednesday, February 21.

He was tricked in to going to a cashpoint and using two banks cards, he was then distracted by the man and thought the cards had been swallowed by the machine.

Both cards were then used elsewhere to withdraw cash before they were cancelled.

The offender is described as an Asian man, around 5ft 10ins tall, of a large build and with a beard. He was wearing a hat, a dark jacket and dark bottoms.

PC Matt Babb, of the North Herts Intervention Team, said: "I'm looking to hear from anyone who may have information about this incident in which a vulnerable member of the community was targeted in the most callous way.

"We're also advising the public to be aware of such scams when using cash machines and also to make your elderly friends and relatives aware to take care when at ATMs.

"If you can help, I can be contacted by email via [email protected]"

Call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/14965/24.