SEVERAL people have been arrested as part of a suspected North-East ATM scam.

Officers in the Northumbria Police Central Serious and Organised Crime Team (SOCT) made the arrests last week as part of a three-month investigation.

They have been investigating a ‘cash trap’ device being fitted to more than 40 ATMs across the Northumbria Force area and County Durham.

The scam sees victims attempt to withdraw money but their cash is never dispensed.

Instead the notes fall into a ‘cash trap’ fitted to the front of the ATM that the offenders then collect when the coast is clear and the victim has left the area.

But officers made a breakthrough in their pursuit of the organised crime group and last week arrested four people from the Cleveland area.

During the activity they seized more than £2,000 in cash, mobile phones and clothing believed to have been worn during the offences.

Sergeant Ant Kirkbride said: “It is a fantastic result to make these arrests and it should have a real impact in disrupting this type of offending.

“Despite the suspects residing in the Cleveland area, we were still able trace them and travelled outside our own force area to apprehend the individuals.

“This is quite a sophisticated scam and on the face of it the ATMs look completely normal.

"Many people will withdraw small amounts of money and walk away thinking it is a fault with the machine.

“We are asking the public to remain vigilant, and if this happens to you, please check to see if there’s anything suspicious on the ATM and let us know as soon as possible.

“It is important that we trace as many victims as possible for our investigation so please call us if you believe you have been scammed in this way.

"You may have tried to withdraw money from one of these machines but then walked away after no cash was dispensed.”

Last week, police appealed for victims to come forward who used a cash point on Newton Road in High Heaton which was found to be fitted with a cash trap.

Luckily a member of the public reported suspicious behaviour at the ATM ensuring that officers were able to quickly respond, and as a result four people were arrested in connection to the crime series.

The six men and two women arrested in connection with the incidents have been released under investigation with enquiries ongoing.

To report a scam contact police on 101 or email central.intelligence@northumbria.pnn.police.uk