THIEVES who tried to break in to a Craven Co-op store and steal the cashpoint machine inside may have been disturbed before they could get in, police believe.
The gang tried to remove two glass panels to get into the Co-op on Main Street, Ingleton, on Sunday night. The attack on the shop is the latest of several similar attempts to steal free-standing cash machines in the north-west, say police. None have been successful.
PC Laurence Martin of Ingleton Police said that the attempt on the Co-op seemed likely to be the work of the same group.
"They seem to be targetting shops with free-standing ATMs. These are obviously alarmed and it looks like they want to get the machine away before trying to break into it. It looks like it could be the same gang behind all these attempts as these machines are heavy and it would be a complex operation to get in and then remove it."
Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Martin at Ingleton Police Station on 101. Alternatively contact the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.
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