A DURHAM police woman won praise for helping to put an end to a bank cash card scam which milked more than £7,000 from victims' accounts in a week.

Eagle-eyed PC Gill Moffatt helped to arrest an alleged ringleader of the 'shoulder surfing' operation, carried out across the North by a gang of illegal Romania. immigrants.

The Durham-based constable spotted a 33-year-old man who had previously been caught on film at cash dispensers where bank cards were taken from unwary customers before being used at other terminals.

Her colleague, DC Steve Millward, of Durham CID, caught a teenager 'in the act' harassing an elderly woman at a cash machine at a bank branch in the city last October.

The following day PC Moffatt picked up still pictures of his accomplice and spotted the man in a cafeteria.

The 17-year-old subsequently admitted conspiracy to steal cash cards and money and was recently sentenced to a six-month detention training order at Durham Crown Court.

Recorder Julian Hallam said on release he would recommend the teenager is deported.

The alleged accomplice, the 33-year-old man, denied the conspiracy, but the charge was 'left on file' by the prosecution as the court was told he is to be deported.