ORGANISED gangs of criminals could be targeting cash machines in York and North Yorkshire with the latest sophisticated scams.

Detective Sergeant Ian Illingworth, of the North Yorkshire Police economic crime unit, has backed a warning from police in London about the most up-to-date methods the thieves are using to steal both cards and their users' PIN details.

"This threat applies to rural areas like North Yorkshire just as much as to the major conurbations," he said.

The criminals often use "Lebanese loops" - home-made devices which cause the customer to think the machine has swallowed the card, only for the crooks to take it after the victim has walked off.

"North Yorkshire has had at least 15 of these in the last six months. They have been reported in quiet rural towns as well as the busier ones," said Det Sgt Illingworth.

But he warned that the criminals now appeared to be becoming more sophisticated,

"They are using card skimmers - fake devices which are taped onto the doors of cash machine foyers, card slot readers, and also pinhole cameras stuck on to machines whilst they sit a short distance away watching on a computer screen."

The gangs, consisting of two to five people, will also press close to the customer to see him inputting his PIN, and steal the card using the Lebanese Loop or steal the details using a card reader.

"These new methods are now commonplace in London and other larger areas, and are already affecting North Yorkshire."

Updated: 09:33 Saturday, October 11, 2003