A MAN has admitted using a card trapping device in Cheltenham to steal money from banks.

Remus Campeanu, 32 and from Coventry, pleaded guilty at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday, July 25 to conspiracy to steal between April 7 and April 25 2013.

The offence relates to the use of a device on cash machines in Bath Road in the town.

The pin numbers of customer bank cards were recorded and used with the trapped bank cards to steal money.

Campeanu will be sentenced on Friday, August 22.

People are reminded to be aware of their surrounding when using cash machines, to protect their PIN and never to accept help from strangers while using cash machines.

If a card is retained by the cash machine, customers should cancel the card with their bank immediately.

DC Annabel Brittain said: "It should be very clear by now that we investigate these serious offences thoroughly and hopefully this is a further reassurance, particularly for those left feeling vulnerable and preyed on by such an incident.

"Numerous people who have tried committing these crimes are now in prison, in the court process. Don't try it here, it's not worth it."