Digger gang in bank raid

Thieves used a mini digger to drag a cashpoint out of a wall in a night-time raid on a bank in Telford, police said today.

They targeted the Royal Bank of Scotland cashpoint — which contained an unknown amount of cash — at the Syer House branch near Stafford Park 1.

The thieves had driven up to the premises in two vehicles, a BMW and a white flatbed lorry with the mini digger loaded onto the back, in what detectives have said was a "well organised" attack.

They fled the scene with the cashpoint but left the digger behind. Detective Constable Jon Taylor, of Telford CID, today appealed for anyone with information or for witnesses to contact them following the raid in the early hours of yesterday.

He said: "Some time between 1.40am and 2am it appears that thieves had used the mini digger to pull a stand-alone Royal Bank of Scotland cashpoint out of the wall and have then made off with it.

"It is not yet known exactly how much money was contained in the cashpoint at the time of this theft. It appears the thieves made their way to the scene in a silver or grey BMW and a white flatbed lorry with the mini digger loaded onto the back."

Detective Constable Taylor added: "This looks like an extremely well organised theft and we are keen to hear from anyone who may have information about it.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the theft taking place but are also keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the BMW and the lorry making their way to the scene.

"The lorry had the digger loaded onto it and had an orange light on the top which makes it a little more distinctive.

"The mini digger was left at the scene after the theft while we believe that the lorry and the BMW made off from the location in the direction of the St Georges and Priorslee roundabout."

Anyone who believes they may have information about this theft, or who may have seen anything suspicious close to the scene over the past few days, is asked to contact police officers in CID in Telford on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

The Royal Bank of Scotland did not want to comment on the raid today.

By Lisa Rowley