Callous thieves stole bank cards from a man in his 80s before withdrawing hundreds of pounds from his account just across the road.

Hertfordshire Police confirmed they are investigating theft and fraud over an incident at the Nationwide Building Society in Rickmansworth High Street on Tuesday, September 10.

The elderly man was using the ATM at the bank between 11.20am and 11.25am when he was approached by two suspects.

The Nationwide Building Society in Rickmansworth High Street.The Nationwide Building Society in Rickmansworth High Street. (Image: Google Maps) One of them, described as a tall man wearing a mask, reportedly appeared very close to him and told him that something on the machine was wrong, before the bank cards suddenly “disappeared” from his hands without him noticing.

The suspects then reportedly crossed the high street to withdraw £500 from the Post Office just 20 metres away while the elderly man went inside to freeze his account.

A police spokesperson confirmed the theft of £500, although approximately £1,000 is believed to have been withdrawn in total according to other reports. Police have been contacted for confirmation.

Rickmansworth residents voiced fury online, with one writing: "Hearing this makes me so angry!!! The poor man.”

Police enquiries are ongoing and any information can be reported via 101 or online at herts.police.uk/contact, quoting crime reference 41/75546/24.