A “DEVIOUS and calculating” fraudster siphoned more than £7,000 from a man’s bank account after his debit card was stolen from the Village Hotel.

The 49-year-old man was staying at the Village Hotel on Waterfold Business Park when the thief entered his unoccupied room sometime between 6.45am and 8.05am on September 12.

It is believed the thief stole a keycard from a cleaner’s trolley to get into the room before taking the man’s wallet, containing his debit card and a small amount of cash.

After the victim realised his wallet had been stolen he received a call from someone claiming to be from his bank asking to confirm some security details due to the possible misuse of his card.

The man gave these details believing he was speaking to the bank, only to find the conman had withdrawn up to £7,700 from his account.

Police have issued CCTV stills of a man they want to speak to in connection with the thefts and are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.

The thief is described as white, of a large build, with short cropped hair and wearing dark coloured trousers, a light shirt and a striped tie.

PC Chris Bent said: "The offenders have devised a cruel plan to not only steal a man's bank card, but then dupe him into giving his security details before withdrawing literally thousands of pounds from his account.

"It is a devious and calculating plan and has left the victim understandably upset and angry.

"Quite apart from the money stolen, which thankfully he can reclaim, anyone who has been a victim of this sort of economic fraud will sympathise with just how invasive it is and how distressed this man is.

"We need to find the man responsible for this and I would urge anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV still to come forward.

“I would also ask hotels and businesses to be on their guard for this man and if you think he may be staying at your premises then please call us immediately."

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.