M&S store targeted in early-morning ram-raid

Ram-raiders targeted the store in the early hours

Thieves have attempted to steal a cash machine from a large supermarket after smashing the store's front doors with a 4x4 vehicle.

Thames Valley Police said three offenders gained entry to the M&S Food Hall on the Banbury Gateway retail park in Oxfordshire at about 2:15 GMT on Wednesday.

The thieves rammed the front doors of the store with a vehicle and attempted to drag out a cash machine, police said.

They were unsuccessful, and made off in an orange vehicle - believed to be a Toyota Hilux.

Det Con Sam Buzzard said: "This incident has occurred in the early hours, and we were immediately alerted to the offence after the offenders activated alarms at the M&S food store."

"Nobody was injured in the incident, but there has been damage to the frontage of the store."

He also urged any witnesses to contact police.

Marks and Spencer said the store remained open as usual and that the retailer was supporting the police in their investigation.