AN INVESTIGATION is underway following several similar incidents of theft and subsequent fraudulent bank card usage in Bournemouth.

Police have warned members of the public to “be vigilant” after three incidents where bank cards and SIM cards were stolen took place within two weeks of each other.

Between 10.30pm on Saturday April 30 and 1.30am on Sunday May 1, a SIM card and bank card was stolen from a man while he was out in Bournemouth town centre. The bank card was used to make transactions totalling around £900.

A few days later, between 1am and 2am on Thursday May 5, a 19-year-old man from Wiltshire was approached by two men, who asked to borrow his phone, near to McDonald’s in Old Christchurch Road.

The victim subsequently established that the SIM card had been stolen from his phone and his bank card had also been stolen from his wallet. The bank card was later used to withdraw cash, pay for a taxi to London and a transaction at a Shell garage.

A similar incident occurred at around 2.30am on Friday May 13 where a man was approached by two men in Old Christchurch Road who asked if they could use his phone. The victim agreed and let them use his phone while he withdrew money from a cash machine.

The victim subsequently noticed that the SIM card had been removed from his phone and his bank card had been stolen and used to withdraw a quantity of cash.

Officers investigating the thefts have issued CCTV images of two men they would like to identify.

Police Community Support Investigator Chris Wilson, of Bournemouth Police, said: “I would like to warn members of the public to be vigilant if they are approached in similar circumstances by people asking to borrow their phone.

“I have now obtained CCTV images of two men I would like to identify in relation to one of the incidents and would urge anyone who recognises them to please get in touch.

“If anyone has any information in relation to these incidents, please contact Dorset Police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220070882.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.