WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: GANGS of youths are using dirty tricks to grab money left in empty cabs in the Chippenham area.

Cab bosses held emergency meetings with drivers this week to warn them about a new scam which has heightened security measures.

Over the bank holiday weekend, taxi firms received calls from fake customers asking to be picked up from different points around the town.

Chippenham police think the calls are part of an elaborate ploy to draw drivers away from their unlocked cars, leaving money inside unguarded. Judy Gasson, of Home James, explained: "We were asked to pick up someone from Wood Lane.

"We were called back and the person asked if the driver could get out and knock on the door because they were old and needed help.

"When the driver got there he was told by the resident that a taxi had never been booked.

"We had another call later on in the day from a person living in Woodlands Road and were again asked to knock on the door because the person was deaf.

"Again, no taxi was ordered but the driver saw two youngsters hanging around."

Police were called after a driver from another firm chased teenagers away from his car.

"Now we are wary every time somebody asks us whether the driver can get out of the car," said Mrs Gasson.

A spokesman for Easy's Taxis, Sheldon Road, said until last weekend, he had never heard of anyone using the scam before.

"One of our cars was also affected.

"A driver had to walk up some steps in Patchway to knock on a door but it was a false call," he said.

Jeanette Schrader, a driver for Lady Pamela Cabs, said the firm was concerned about the spate of hoax calls and was warning employees to be on their guard.

"We will tell all drivers to be wary and lock their cabs when they leave them," she said.

Chippenham police are urging anyone who sees anybody suspicious hanging around a parked taxi to phone them. Officers are hoping to catch the con artists before any cash is snatched.

Acting sergeant Dave Budd said: "I have never heard of anything like this before.

"We have been made aware that a group of youths are phoning taxi companies.

"Although no offence has actually been committed, we believe the idea is to grab cash from unattended cabs.

"We are reminding everybody who leaves cars unattended to make sure they are locked and no items of value are left in view."

Anyone with information can phone Chippenham Police on (01249) 654455 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.