CASH machine fraudsters hit at least 30 people and netted up to £30,000 in a skimming scam at a town centre bank.

A skimming device was used to electronically record the card details and PIN numbers of innocent customers of a Maidstone bank as they used a cash point in its foyer.

Police have warned that the Maidstone and Malling area is being targeted more than anywhere else in Kent.

Officers think the criminals could have got away with up to £30,000 - with each of the victims losing an average of £1,000 each.

Skimming devices - camouflaged by skilfully made false cash machine fronts - record information from the card before it is returned to the customer. A camera placed above the keypad will spy on a customer’s fingers as they enter their PIN.

Criminals can then make up duplicate cards within hours and use the customer’s PIN to withdraw the maximum amount from their accounts - which is often the first sign to the victim that something is wrong.

Officers want to speak to the people pictured in the images on the right in relation to the incident. They are thought to have entered the foyer of the bank and attached a device to the machine on December 4 between 4am and 5am.

It was one of three skimming incidents reported in the Maidstone area during December - with another two elsewhere in the county.

Det Sgt Dave West, of Kent Police Fraud Squad, said: "Maidstone has probably been hit more than any other - one fifth of them have been in Maidstone."

He warned members of the public to watch out for anything unusual - whether it be something odd about the cash machine or somebody acting suspiciously nearby.

"A cash machine is very well made - it’s very well moulded. If you can see cracks or anything stuck on them, report it," said Det Sgt West.

But he added that people should not try to remove the devices, which can cost £3,000 to produce - as the criminal, who is likely to be watching, may assault members of the public to get it back.