Fraudsters have been targeting cash machine customers, and police are warning people to take extra care.

Four incidents have been reported in Dover town centre in the past month, but thanks to sharp-eyed staff at local stores, four people have already been arrested.

Town centre police officer PC Ashley Price is urging people to check the machines before they use them, and to check their bank statements for any suspicious payments.

“Various devices are being attached to machines to skim cash cards and obtain customers’ PINs,” said PC Price.

“Some of the devices are very sophisticated, and also very discreet. We don’t know how many customers have had their details skimmed in this way, but potentially the criminals can get away with thousands of pounds.”

One of the cash machines targeted is at Nationwide in Biggin Street, where extra security facilities have now been put in place to prevent further offences.

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Two of the arrests were made when staff became suspicious of people in their stores in the town centre who appeared to be watching a cash machine.

Police officers were quickly on scene and, with the assistance of Shopwatch members, two men were detained. Another two were detained in a separate incident. All four were from outside the area and inquiries are continuing.