THOUSANDS of pounds was stolen after a cash machine was ripped from a shop wall by thieves using a JCB.

Officers were called to the Spar shop in Edisford Road, Clitheroe, at around 2.25am yesterday.

Police said the cash machine was damaged during the incident, with a significant amount of money, in the thousands of pounds, was stolen.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The offenders made off from the scene, with structural damage caused to the building.

The cash machine was taken but found in a field in Roughlee.

Rubble and pieces of the shop wall had been left on the forecourt, showing where the thieves had broken in and removed the safe.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The JCB telehandler had earlier been stolen from Slaidburn Road in Waddington.

Three police vans remained at the scene throughout the morning while investigations took place.

The road was closed off from St Paul’s Street and Seedall Avenue, and traffic was redirected around Henthorn Road and Lancaster Drive.

Lancashire Telegraph:

An Edisford Road resident said: “I saw the road had been closed off but didn’t realise what had happened until I got up close.

“I can’t believe what has happened.

“I’ve never heard of this sort of thing happened to the shop before, it’s really quiet round here.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Another Edisford Road resident said: “People must think because of where we are, it’s easy to get away with stealing things.

“The shop will have lost trade now and staff will be wondering what is going on.

“I hope those involved are found.”

This comes as thousands of pounds were stolen from an ATM after thieves used an angle grinder and gas cylinders to blow up a cash machine in Accrington earlier this month.

It is unclear whether the two incidents are linked.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Detective sergeant Mark Holland said: “An investigation is underway following a cash theft in Clitheroe.

“Offenders have used a JCB digger to ram the front of the store before ripping out an ATM machine.

“The thieves have then taken a quantity of cash before making off from the scene.

“We are appealing for information and are keen to speak to anyone who can help with our enquiries.

“Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the offence?

"Did you see a JCB digger being driven towards the scene or a vehicle making off from the area at high speed?

“Any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, could prove crucial to our investigation.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or email 1438@lancashire.pnn.police.uk quoting log reference 0114 of October 19.