Chased off

BANK staff chased a would-be thief down the street after he was seen trying to attach a "skimming" device to a cash machine in Goring.

The incident happened at Barclays Bank in Goring Road at around 11.40am on Friday, July 19, when staff went outside to see the man tampering with the branch's cash point.

He was attempting to attach a device to it which would be used to take money from customer's accounts by recording their card details.

But before the police got to the scene, the man escaped.

Staff gave chase for a short distance, but lost him as he headed towards Alinora Crescent, Goring, at around 11.55am.

Police said the man is white, around 5ft 6in tall, of slim build. He was wearing blue jeans and a light blue top.

Just a day earlier, a similar incident happened at another Barclays branch in Chapel Road, Worthing.

This time it resulted in 14 customers having money stolen from their accounts.

Sergeant Ian Kerr, of Worthing Police, said: "We have had a few of these types of incidents happen lately.

"I would urge customers to always be vigilant, check if there's anyone looking over their shoulder and if they're suspicious to notify the bank immediately."

Sgt Kerr said in light of the problems, Barclays had implemented more regular checks of cash machines and staff had been told to be vigilant.

Hit with a bottle

A SPANISH visitor to Worthing was told to go back to her own country before being hit on the head with a plastic bottle.

The student was with a group of friends when she was attacked in Chapel Road at around 2pm on Monday, July 21.

She told the police the bottle, which was used to hit her on the back of the head, was filled with some kind of liquid.

The woman who attacked her is described as around 5ft 2in tall and stocky.

Gardening conman

AN ELDERLY Goring resident has fallen victim to a conman who came to their door pretending to be a gardener.

The man charged the victim, in their 80s from Boxgrove, £220 in advance for the work he said he would carry out and even took the person to the bank to withdraw the cash.

But the offender never started the job and police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward with information.

Lawnmower thief

OPPORTUNISTIC thieves stole a lawnmower worth £800 from a Findon Valley man's driveway.

The Findon Road resident had got the Hayter mower out of his garage and had put it on his driveway, ready to mow the lawn.

Police said he then went round the back of his house for a while but when he returned the lawnmower was gone.

The theft happened on Monday (July 21) morning.

Fake jewellery

POLICE are keen to talk to a group of Romanian people seen selling fake gold jewellery in Findon Valley in the last week.

The group have been seen trying their luck with passers-by outside Tesco Express in Findon Road.

Sergeant Ian Kerr of Worthing Police said: "They seem to be trying to pressure sell to people, especially vulnerable individuals and those in mobility scooters.

"Often it is just coated brass and I would urge people to walk away if they're offered jewellery they're unsure about."

Hot-wiring cars

A TEENAGER was caught red-handed as he tried to steal a car in Worthing in the early hours of Saturday (July 19) morning.

The car's owner heard noises coming from the street outside his home in Dominion Road and went outside to find two youngsters trying to hotwire his Ford Fiesta.

He challenged them and one ran away, but the man was able to keep hold of one boy until police arrived and arrested him.

The youth was charged with vehicle interference.

Police said there were two other attempts to hot-wire and steal cars in Worthing that night.

In Sackville Road a Ford Escort, along with another car, had their doors prized open but neither were taken.

Brazen thieves

BRAZEN thieves attempted to steal lead flashing from a patio in broad daylight.

They were only stopped after somebody inside the premises noticed what was happening and they escaped.

It happened in Goring Road on Sunday at around 11.45am.

Appeal

Anyone with information about these, or any other crimes, can contact police on 0845 60 70 999 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

When a crime is taking place, and/or lives are in danger, always call 999.


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