TWO off-duty police officers arrested a man after a skimming device was found at a cashpoint outside Dorchester's Tesco store on Friday.

Police said a man pushed a woman out of the way and started to remove the device after her cash card got stuck while using the machine in Weymouth Avenue.

Detective Constable John Osborne, of Weymouth CID, said the man fled and two off-duty policemen from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary chased and arrested him. He said: "The woman went to get security staff when her card got stuck and the man shoved past her and started to remove the skimming device.

"She shouted at him and two off-duty police officers chased him."

The two officers chased the man before catching him nearby.

DC Osborne urged anyone who used the cashpoint on August 19 to check their bank accounts for missing money.

The incident comes after unconnected cases where skimmers were placed on cashpoints in Dorchester and Weymouth.

Skimming machines are card-reading devices fitted to the front of cashpoints and allow thieves to gain bank account details or create fake bankcards.

Bank officials say that skimmers are not common but say customers should always be vigilant. Police advise people to check their statements regularly and report anything suspicious.

A man is helping police with inquiries in connection with the Tesco incident.