Lincolnshire Police are appealing for information after a group of men attempted to steal thousands of pounds from a city-centre pub in Lincoln.

Four men entered the Strait and Narrow at around 6.55pm on Wednesday, June 5.

They ordered two separate rounds of drinks while politely engaging with members of staff.

One of the men held the card machine himself while completing the purchase, while the other men distracted the staff.

The man tampered with the card machine and rather than pay for his drinks, managed to refund thousands to his card.

He repeated this again with a second round of drinks and it was only when staff came to cash up that they realised what had happened.

The pub managed to contact the bank and cancel the payment before the money could be stolen.

Police said the same four men have then continued on to various other eateries and stores in Lincoln where they have attempted to perform the same trick. 

They are also beeing hunted following a similar incident which reportedly took place at a mobile phone store in Boston on Monday, June 3. 

Officers believe the men pictured can help them with the investigations and are asking members of the public with information to come forward.

If you have any information that you think could help, contact PC Charlie Broughton charlie.broughton@lincs.police.uk quoting incident number 111 of 6 June.