ORGANISED gangs are targeting cash machines in North Yorkshire.

The county is getting its fair share of such crimes - which are hitting towns and cities all over the country, involving the theft of millions of pounds each year.

And police are warning people how to beware of the menace.

DS Ian Illingworth of North Yorkshire police said rural areas are just as vulnerable to the threat as major conurbations.

The crooks often use "Lebanese loops" - home-made devices which cause customers to think the cash machine has swallowed the card, only for the criminals to take them after the victim has walked off.

North Yorkshire has had at least 15 of these incidents in the last six months.

Police say crooks are now getting more sophisticated.

They are using card skimmers - fake devices which are taped on to the doors of cash machine foyers, card slot readers and pinhole cameras stuck on to machines while they sit nearby watching on a computer screen.

The gangs will also press close to a customer to see him using his PIN card and then steal the card using the Lebanese loop or the details using a card reader.

"These new methods are commonplace in London and other large areas and are already affecting North Yorkshire," said DS Illingworth.

Banks are making changes to cards and entry methods to foyers in a bid to reduce what has become a serious problem. More than £30m has been lost so far this year.

Tips to avoid becoming a victim of the gangs include:

* Don't use a machine if there is anyone behaving suspiciously in the area.

* Before entering your card check the machine to see if there is anything stuck to it or anything looking unusual. If so, don't use the machine.

* Use your free hand to cover the PIN pad to prevent anyone seeing the number as you key in.

* If the machine does not return your card, report it immediately.

* Check bank statements to make sure money is not being taken from your account using a counterfeit card.