A stolen Range Rover was used in an attempted ram raid at a Burwell service station in the early hours of today.
The brazen attempt to remove an ATM cash machine began when the intruders forced their way through the reinforced sliding door entrance to the Co-op food store and petrol station on Ness Road.
In their first attempt, the intruders threw ropes around the cash machine and tried to haul it out of the store.
When that bid failed the ram raiders drove down the side of the building and straight into the reinforced metal panelling to try and remove the ATM.
When their second method failed they fled the scene, leaving the stolen maroon coloured Range Rover at the scene.
The attempted robbery was discovered by the store manager who arrived for work at 5.30am.
Neighbours opposite in Bewicks Mead, who have been spoken to by detective investigators, said that they heard nothing.
One resident said that the first he heard about the attempted ram raid was when he left his house at around 6.30am to get his morning newspaper.
He said he was absolutely staggered by what had happened.
The manager, who asked not to be named, said that although he was unhappy the store had been attacked, he was delighted that the security had held good.
“The machine is robustly held in place and very fortunately they were unable to get away with it,” the manager said.
“The ram raid has however caused serious disruption to trade at the store which will remain closed for at least the rest of the day while Co-op officials bring in structural engineers to assess the damage and decide if and when the store can re-open.”
Another resident said: “Unfortunately this isn’t the first time in recent times that the village has been hit by ram raiders. Two years ago there was an attempted ram raid on the Barclay’s ATM.
It is hoped that the Co-op food store and service station on Ness Road may be able to re-open by tomorrow, but updates will be posted on the store’s Facebook page to keep local people and customers informed.
A police spokesman said: “We were called at around 3.53am today (November 17) to reports of an attempted robbery at a petrol station in Ness Road, Burwell.
“The offenders attempted to remove a cash machine from the wall but were unsuccessful and fled the scene.
“Anyone with information regarding the incident should call police on 101 quoting incident 44 of today or visit www.cambs.police.uk/report.
“Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”
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