ATM thieves ram into shopfront with telehandler

A telehandler used to smash into the Londis store in Markfield, Leicestershire, was left at the scene

Police are investigating after thieves used a telehandler to smash into a shop and steal a cash machine.

Leicestershire Police said it received a call at 03:30 GMT on Monday to report a vehicle had been driven through the front of the shop in Chitterman Way, Markfield.

The cash machine was then loaded into a white pick-up truck, which was later found abandoned and on fire in Humble Lane, Ratcliffe on the Wreake, which is about a 20-minute drive from the scene.

The force said an investigation was in its early stages and urged anyone with information to come forward.

Police closed the road where the telehandler had been left

The white truck left the scene, travelling in the direction of London Road, while the telehandler was left outside the shop, police said.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service alerted police to the abandoned, burning vehicle in Humble Lane at 05:20.

Det Ch Insp Tom Allard said it was working to "piece together" the movements of the vehicles involved.

"After setting the vehicle on fire, it is very likely the suspects will have made off in another vehicle," he said.

"The people involved have not only stolen the ATM but they have caused significant structural damage to the building."

The force has asked anyone travelling in the area between 03:30 and 05:20, and who might have seen the pick-up truck, to get in touch.

'Heartbreaking'

George McKie, 84, from Markfield, said he was "absolutely gobsmacked" at the damage.

"I have lived here 14 years and you think [in] a sleepy hollow like Markfield this would never happen," he added.

"It is just a feeling of shock and amazement.

"For the whole village this is going to be shocking and terribly inconvenient, especially for elderly people without transport facilities who really rely on a post office that is near to where they live."

Sharon Hall, who has lived in Markfield for a decade, said the damage was "heartbreaking".

"Nothing like this has ever happened in this village before," she said.

"Obviously it is a quiet little village, it seems to be happening in most places these days. It is quite shocking really."

Chitterman Way remains shut, police said.