POLICE are warning residents to be careful when using cash points after devices designed to steal bank cards were found.

Officers say they believe a gang is targeting cash machines in the town.

Illegal devices have been removed from an ATM at Morrisons, London Road, Stockton Heath, and an ATM at the Co-op store on Holes Lane, Woolston.

Both were found by police on Wednesday.

Officers were alerted to another device at the same cash machine at Morrisons today, Friday, but investigated to find it was not suspicious.

Police say there are two types of technology used by criminals.

One is designed to steal the card, with the victim believing it has been swallowed.

When they leave to call their bank, the thief removes the device and steals the card.

The second type of machine reads and records card details, like expiry date and the security pin.

They can then be used to make purchases online.

Police say both devices are visibile and can be spotted before being used.

Anyone with information can call police on 101.