POLICE say a “significant amount of cash” was stolen by thieves who broke into a cash machine at Thornbury’s Tesco supermarket.
A gang of masked men with tools attacked the machine, which is in a free-standing (above) building just outside the Midland Way store’s main entrance, at around 2am on May 9.
The raid is believed to be one of a series carried out by the same group across the country.
A police spokesperson said: “Four men wearing face coverings and gloves were reported to have made off with a significant amount of cash in a dark blue Audi S3, which headed south on the M5.
“CCTV, house-to-house, and forensic enquiries have been carried out, witness statements have been taken, and intelligence checks have been conducted, and we have lines of enquiry to follow while investigations continue.”
‘Sophisticated burglary’
Detective Constable Harry Bailey, from Avon & Somerset’s Criminal Investigations Department, said: “This was a sophisticated burglary, with a high level of planning where a substantial amount of cash has been stolen.
“We understand incidents like this are of great concern to the community, and this will have been incredibly distressing for staff at the scene of the incident, who we will keep updated with any progress in the investigation.
“However, we are not investigating any other incidents of this nature in the area, and we do not expect there to be any wider threat to the community – but we do believe this is linked to similar burglaries across other parts of the country.”
Anybody with information, CCTV, or dashcam footage from around the time of the incident is being asked to call the police on 101, quoting crime reference number 5226 126 763 or get in touch online.
Information can also be given anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or online.