Cash machine stolen from Co-op in ram-raid

The Co-op store in Whetstone, Leicestershire, was left with a smashed window and damaged shutter

A cash machine has been stolen from a Co-op store in a ram-raid in Leicestershire.

Police said officers were called to the store in Cambridge Road in Whetstone at about 04:00 BST on Wednesday, when a vehicle had driven into the front of the shop.

A spokesperson said the cash machine was then loaded into a blue Toyota Hilux, which left the scene with a blue BMW.

Det Insp Ed Prowse said the investigation was "very much ongoing" and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

A police investigation is ongoing while road closures remain in place around the scene

The force said the Toyota Hilux collided with an unmarked police vehicle at an unrelated traffic stop after it left the scene of the ram-raid.

A spokesperson confirmed the officer involved was not injured.

Cambridge Road has been closed from the roundabout to the Hunter Road junction.

Warwick Road, from The Dicken to the roundabout, was also closed and access to the roundabout was limited from Brook Street, Burnham Drive and Grove Road, according to the force.

A spokesperson for Co-op said: "The store is temporarily closed and it is too early to confirm when the store will reopen but we will do this as soon as possible, to continue to serve the community.

"We urge anyone who may have any information to come forward to police, who are investigating."