A WOMAN was punched in the face while using an ATM – before a man who was nothing to do with the assault stole her money.

Police are calling for information about the incident, which happened at the Bath Hill service station in Bath Road at 3.20am on Sunday, September 1.

The victim, a 22-year-old woman from Cardiff, was attempting to withdraw £100 from the cashpoint when she got involved in a row with another woman.

The woman punched the victim in the mouth and pulled her hair.

During the attack, a man waiting in the queue to use the cashpoint saw that the victim's money had been withdrawn, but that she'd not yet collected it.

He was seen to pocket the money, walk away and get into a waiting taxi.

The victim discovered the theft the following day when she accessed her online bank account.

Police Community Support Investigator Martin Young, of Bournemouth police, said: “From our initial enquiries we do not believe the male and female offenders are known to each other."

CCTV of two people police are looking to speak to in connection with the incident has now been released.

On Thursday afternoon, police said a 21-year-old man from Bournemouth has come forward in relation to the theft and is assisting officers with their enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190137459.