A MAN said he will “never feel safe using a cashpoint again” after he was the victim of a distraction theft.

Mark Aspinall claimed he was using the cash machine outside Halifax, in Knowsley Street, when somebody waved a piece of paper in front of his face and withdrew £500.

After reporting the crime in branch, Mr Aspinall apparently overheard a member of staff saying “it’s happened again”.

According to Mr Aspinall, Halifax staff then told him there was no CCTV attached to the outside of the building or cameras inside the cashpoints.

Mr Aspinall said: “While I understand that Halifax is not completely responsible for this, if Halifax had warned customers of a robber in the area, I may not have been robbed. Also if Halifax had CCTV outside the branch, or cameras in the cashpoints, the police may have evidence to identify the robber and catch him.

“As a result of this robbery, I have been forced to increase my overdraft to provide some sort of cushion whilst I arrange to sell some of my possessions to cover my loss. I will never feel safe using a cashpoint again. I feel violated and I will always be looking over my shoulder when I am out in town."

A spokesman for Halifax said: We are aware of the complaint recently raised by Mr Aspinall and it is currently under investigation.