More than £7,000 fraudulently withdrawn after debit card stolen

CCTV still of a man they want to speak to in connection with the thefts

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More than £7,000 was fraudulently withdrawn from a man's bank account after his debit card was stolen from a Heywood hotel.

Police have now issued a CCTV still of a man they want to speak to in connection with the thefts.

The man, 49, was staying at the Village Inn and Leisure Club on Waterfold Business Park, Heywood, when the thief entered his unoccupied room sometime between 6.45am and 8.05am on Tuesday 12 September 2013.

It is believed the thief may have stolen a keycard from a cleaner's trolley and, once inside, stole the man's wallet containing his debit card and a small amount of cash.

After the man realised his wallet had been stolen, he then received a call from someone claiming to be from his bank asking to confirm some security details due to the possible misuse of his card. The victim gave these details believing he was speaking to the bank, only to find the offender then withdrew up to £7,700 from his account.

Police are now appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

The thief is described as white, of a large build, with short cropped hair and wearing dark coloured trousers, a light shirt and a striped tie. Police have also released a CCTV still of a man they want to speak to in connection with the thefts.

PC Chris Bent said: "The offenders have devised a cruel plan to not only steal a man's bank card, but then dupe him into giving his security details before withdrawing literally thousands of pounds from his account.

"It is a devious and calculating plan and has left the victim understandably upset and angry.

"Quite apart from the money stolen, which thankfully he can reclaim, anyone who has been a victim of this sort of economic fraud will sympathise with just how invasive it is and how distressed this man is.

"We need to find the man responsible for this and I would urge anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV still to come forward. I would also ask hotels and businesses to be on their guard for this man and if you think he may be staying at your premises then please call us immediately."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.