QUICK-THINKING bank staff helped foil a woman who was swindling a vulnerable pensioner out of thousands of pounds.

Lloyds workers Liz Currer, Jacqueline Redknap and Jonathan Perrin grew concerned about a regular customer at their branch in Preston Circus, Brighton.

The elderly man had started to make odd cash withdrawals outside his usual spending pattern.

So they asked him to explain in more detail why he needed the money.

It turned out a woman was conning him to pay for her own rent and lifestyle at his expense.

But she was found waiting outside the bank and was invited inside by staff.

The unwitting fraudster agreed to go in, not knowing staff had called the police to catch her red-handed.

She was caught and pleaded guilty to taking more than £10,000 from the victim.

The fraudster was then jailed for four years.

At the Brighton and Hove Divisional Police Awards last week the Lloyds staff were presented with Citizenship Awards.

Liz Currer said: “We are all exceptionally proud to be recognised for something we have done.

“We noticed that there was unusual spending for the gentleman, he came in asking for more and more money.

“The offender was outside waiting for him, she had started by asking money for her rent.”

Jacqueline Redknap said supporting vulnerable and elderly customers can be the hardest part of the job.

But spotting the signs of a vulnerable person is something they are trained to do.

They invited the fraudster into the office and she did not twig that the Lloyds staff had already called the police.

Jonathan Perrin said: “You should have seen her face when the police turned up, she could see through the glass door but by then she could not get away.”

The staff want others to help the elderly and vulnerable, to look out for signs they may be a victim of fraud.

They were among 60 people presented with awards and certificates, including police officers, investigators, staff and volunteers, listed on the right.