LICENSEES have been warned to be on their guard after thieves stole more than £400 from a pub fruit machine - as customers and staff stood yards away.

The theft was only uncovered when workers came to empty the machine and found the cash box, containing £415, had been taken.

Police want pub staff to be vigilant to prevent similar crimes. Staff say a group of men were playing on the machine at the Travellers' Rest in Moulton on Tuesday night as customers enjoyed an early evening drink.

'Five blokes came in about 6.15pm and were playing on the fruit machine and I didn't think anything of it,' said landlord Darren Lander. 'The next day, when the machine was emptied, the cash box had been nicked. They were only in the pub for about an hour and nobody saw anything.

'They must have used a key because there was no damage, so they can't have forced it.

'£400 is a lot of money to lose anyway - but at this time of year it's the last thing you need.'

Mr Lander said that the men all spoke with a West Midlands accent. Sgt Paul Mason, of Winsford Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: 'This crime doesn't follow a pattern that we have seen in this area but licensees need to be alert and stay on their guard.

'Unfortunately, nobody saw anything this time and we want to make people aware that this type of crime can occur - if anyone sees anything, don't hesitate to call.'