Police have uncovered five skimming devices designed to defraud bank customers on cash machines in Brighton.

The devices were found on cash machines at banks in North Street, Queen's Road and West Street, in Brighton after an off duty scenes of crime officer from Kent who had seen them in her own force raised the alarm.

Officers found evidence of others fitted and removed from several others city centre machines.

The devices have a strip fitted above the keypad with a pin-hole camera and a reader fitted to the card slot.

When a customer uses the machine, the skimmer records the customer’s card details and the camera films the unsuspecting victim entering their PIN on the keypad.

They are made in the same colour as the ATMs and at a casual glance are virtually impossible to spot.

PC Philip Dodd, who has been investigating the reports, said: “A distinctive black mastic adhesive is used to afix the devices and when looking at other ATMs in the city, we have discovered the residue of this adhesive on a number of them.

“It is reasonable to assume that these machines have been targeted in the past, but we are unable to establish when.”

Customers using the machines are advised to look closely at cash machines and if they have any doubts, don't use them or make sure that they cover their keying hand with their other hand when entering their PIN.

Anyone with information about the devices or who is fitting them should also call that number, quoting serial 843 of 19/12 and report suspicious cash machines to the bank if it is open or to the police on 0845 60 70 999.