A warning has been issued about posing as car park attendants in Coalville to fraudulently obtain people's bank details.

Leicestershire Police have highlighted three such cases - with two happening in Coalville car parks.

Another was reported in Glenfield - and police say as much as £1,300 was taken from one victim's bank account.

North West Leicestershire Police say: "The circumstances in those incidents are the same as the further report received again in Coalville.

"During each incident, a person impersonating a car parking attendant approaches someone who is intending to pay for their parking.

"They have then guided the person to a specific meter and told them, after they have entered their bank card, to read their PIN number out loud to allow the machine to register the number.

"The machine, which clearly has been tampered with, refuses to return the card and the victim believes it has been accidentally retained."

When the victim leaves the machine with the card still inside, the fraudster retrieves and fraudulently uses the card with the read-out PIN number.

Photo: Leicestershire Police

Nicole McIntyre, from the force's Economic Crime Unit, said: "This is something new that, unfortunately, while first reported to us last month, seems to be continuing as a way of fraudulently taking money from elderly victims, so we know that these people are targeting those they believe are vulnerable.

"Our advice remains the same; you will never be asked to verify your PIN in such circumstances, and if you are unsure that someone is a genuine car parking attendant, ask for a verified ID.

"If you are not sure and have any suspicion a criminal offence is being committed, please do not enter your card into the machine and contact the police.

"I would also like to encourage anyone who has any elderly relatives or friends to make them aware of this scam, as they will hopefully follow our advice if they are approached in the same manner."

You can contact police on 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.