Residents in the South East are being offered free card defenders to protect them from contactless card fraud.

The move follows warnings that 'electronic pickpocketing' is on the rise nationwide. The Community Safety Partnership in St Albans, Hertfordshire, took action after criminals started to skim card details from people's wallets and purses using a handheld electronic reader. It says its protective sleeves for bank cards use 'blocking technology to prevent them being read'. The partnership, which includes the local council and police, is offering the sleeves free to local residents. The organisation warns: 'Contactless payment cards have led to an increase in electronic pickpocketing. 'Criminals are using handheld card readers to skim payment details and sensitive information without the victim realising.'...Read more here