JCB cash machine theft attempt

Police are calling for witnesses to an attempt to steal an ATM from a high street premises by using a JCB, which happened in the early hours of Thursday.

The attempt in Bromyard, between Leominster and Worcester, bears a striking resemblance to the theft of a cash machine, ripped from the wall of Lloyds Bank in Cleobury Mortimer with a JCB, on December 2015 – and more recently one taken from Alveley Tandoori after the front of the takeaway was smashed into, again by a JCB, on March 9 this year.

All three offences are in the south east Shropshire area, but police say they are not linking them at this time.

The Bromyard attempt happened on Tenbury Road at about 2.20am and this time the arrival of police disturbed the offenders.

The JCB was then driven into the marked police car, police believe intentionally, heavily damaging it, though no one was hurt.

The people in the JCB got into a third vehicle, described as an Audi A6 type, and made off, leaving the ATM and the JCB at the scene along with a silver 4x4 Mitsubishi L200.

Detective Inspector Martin Taylor said: "A thorough investigation is underway and officers are conducting extensive enquiries in order to locate the offenders. We would like to hear from anyone who has information about this incident.

"I would also ask people who live, or were driving through the area overnight, to get in touch if they saw a yellow JCB or a silver Mitsubishi L200, either being driven, or perhaps parked up somewhere."

Emily Cleland, speaking for West Mercia Police, said: "This incident is not being linked to any other similar offences at this time."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 34 of April 6.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.