TWO men have been jailed after being arrested in Knebworth for cash point fraud offences where entrapment devices were fitted to machines. Narcis Bujor, 18, and 26-year-old Ionut Machis, who are both of no fixed address, were each sentenced to 32 months i

TWO men have been jailed after being arrested in Knebworth for cash point fraud offences where entrapment devices were fitted to machines.

Narcis Bujor, 18, and 26-year-old Ionut Machis, who are both of no fixed address, were each sentenced to 32 months in prison at Luton Crown Court on Friday.

Machis was also sentenced to 18 months to run concurrently for similar offences committed in London. They had pleaded guilty to offences at an earlier hearing.

The men were seen by CCTV operators to be acting suspiciously near to a cash point in the village on May 15.

Police officers were alerted and shortly afterwards stopped a vehicle nearby. The two men were arrested and subsequently charged with theft and fraud offences at a number of locations across the county.

Detective constable Geraldine Ward, who investigated the incident, said: "These men were part of a criminal gang which targeted cash machines.

"Officers acted quickly to ensure these people were arrested and we are pleased that the seriousness of this offence has been recognised and prison sentences given.

"We hope this sends out a strong message to those who come to Hertfordshire to commit crime - we will catch you and you will be dealt with accordingly."

Police give this advice:

Never disclose your Personal Identification Number (PIN) to anyone.

Always look around you when approaching and using the cash point. If you see anyone acting suspiciously, call police or a bank official.

If you think a cash machine has been tampered with, call police immediately and tell the bank.

Where possible, use a cash machine inside a bank or building society.