THIS is the man police are hunting over a cash machine scam in a Hampshire town.

Detectives want witnesses to come forward after the suspect was caught on CCTV placing a skimming device on a cash point outside the Tesco store in Caird Avenue, New Milton.

Shoppers may have lost money as a result of the scam.

Now officers are highlighting the importance of shielding the keypad with one hand when typing the PIN with the other.

The suspect is described as aged between 25-35, white, and of thin build.

He was wearing a short black jacket, possibly leather, light blue jeans, and with short dark hair with a receding hairline at the sides.

PC Lawrence McKenna said: “These devices are placed on ATMs and are designed to read the card details as they are inserted and also take video footage of the users of the ATM putting in their PIN number – via a pin hole camera above the keypad.

“These are rare devices and a rare occurrence in our area. They are usually well made and at first glance are very difficult to spot as they blend in perfectly with the ATM itself.

“UK banks are victims are various frauds and thefts.

These losses add up and are immense – battling this loss is in everyone’s interest.

“We have various lines of enquiry ongoing and if anyone recognises this male or has any information please contact me.”

The warning comes just weeks after a cash machine scam in Southampton when there were fears hundreds of people could have been stung.

Two men were seen to tamper with the machine outside the Co-op convenience store at Nelson Gate in Commercial Road.

Meanwhile, Barclays bank machines were targeted at locations in the Chandler’s Ford, Hedge End, Park Gate and Eastleigh areas of the county earlier in the year.

The picture just released relates to the incident in New Milton at 5.55am on November 28.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.