VANDALS are targeting a major bank in Hampshire by attempting to remove anti-skimming devices that are built in on cash machines used by the public.

The same men are thought to be responsible for the damage and have struck six times in the past three days at Barclays branches in Southampton, Eastleigh, Hedge End and Park Gate.

But unbeknown to them they have been caught in the act on camera at numerous locations as they pounced in the dead of night.

Pounced Now police have released CCTV images of the men they believe are responsible and are urging the public to help them trace them before they strike again.

The first attempt to remove the device happened at 11pm on Tuesday in Portswood Road, Southampton.

Just over one hour later they struck again at the bank in Botley Road, Park Gate, at 12.10am on Wednesday.

On Thursday the men decided to try their luck again – this time stepping up their game and hitting four different branches in under two hours.

At 1.10am the vandals targeted the Portswood Road branch for a second time before moving on to Shirley Road, Shirley, just 20 minutes later.

The men then left the city and headed for Eastleigh where they vandalised the cash machine outside the branch in Upper Market Street at 2.28am before finally striking in Lower Northam Road, Hedge End, at 2.56am.

Barclays Bank today said it was aware of the incidents which have left the machines out of action.

However, they moved to reassure customers using their cashpoints that they are fitted with anti-fraud devices which shut down the ATMs if they are tampered with in any way.

A Barclays spokesman said: “There have been a number of occasions recently where our cash machines locally have been tampered with.

“We have sophisticated anti-fraud mechanisms on our ATMs and in each case the machine has immediately closed down to protect customers from fraud.

“However, this does mean that the machines have then been out of action until our engineers can get to the site to make the necessary repairs.

“We do apologise to customers for the inconvenience this has caused and will co-operate fully with the police to help catch the people responsible.”

Police are appealing to anyone who recognises the men or who saw them at the bank branches to contact PC Peter Watson at Southampton Central on 101 or to ring the anonymous Crimestoppers charity line on 0800 555 111.