Digger used in Berkshire building society raid

The raiders tried to remove the ATM machine but fled empty-handed

Raiders used a stolen digger to "ram raid" a building society before one of their getaway cars crashed into a police vehicle.

Officers were called to the Nationwide on the High Street in Crowthorne, Berkshire, at about 0250 BST.

The JCB digger, which was earlier stolen from Blackbushe Market, Surrey, was driven through the front window, but nothing was stolen.

A getaway car rammed a stationary police vehicle as it was driven off.

The officer inside was not hurt and no-one else was injured during the raid.

Police said "extensive damage" was caused to the building by the digger, which was left at the scene.

Two getaway cars are believed to have been used, while the digger may have been driven through Hampshire before the raid.

"Extensive damage" was caused by the digger, which was left at the scene

One was rammed into a police car in Duke's Ride at the junction with the High Street, before being driven away.

Det Sgt Paul Quinton, of Thames Valley Police, said: "We believe that one of these cars was a light blue Nissan pick-up truck.

"We now know that the JCB was stolen from Blackbushe Market, Surrey, during the early hours of this morning and that this vehicle and the two getaway vehicles travelled to the High Street in convoy."

Police sealed off the area while investigations were carried out and continued to appeal for witnesses.

The road was closed but reopened several hours later.