Santander cash machines: Crime fears at Lancashire ATMs Published duration 4 April 2016

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A number of Santander cash machines have been shut down due to "potential criminal activity and vandalism", the bank has said.

Lancashire Police warned people not to use Santander machines due to criminals targeting them to steal card details.

Santander said "five ATMs were shut down immediately" but cash machines elsewhere remained "fully operational".

Police in Cheshire said some ATMs were vandalised, but were not fitted with "skimming devices".

People who have lost money have been urged to contact the bank and police.

Lancashire Police said: "We are still taking reports but a series of similar incidents last week occurred in all parts of the county. The advice, therefore, is not limited to a specific area or town.

"We are advising the public to be vigilant, in particular of Santander machines, but of any cash machines. Report anything suspicious, have a visual check of the cash point and if in doubt leave it and go somewhere else."

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Cheshire Police said on Monday: "We can confirm that there had been a number of ATMs tampered with over the weekend, however these are not thought to be linked to skimming devices.

"It appeared that in one case keypad numbers had been stuck down in some way and a ruler had been attached to anther causing an issue with the buttons.

"[The incidents] were confined to the eastern part of the county."

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