Arrests over East Midlands cash machine raids

Two men have been arrested following a series of cash machine raids across the East Midlands.

It follows two thefts within the space of 24 hours in Leicestershire.

A vehicle was used on an ATM at a Tesco in Hinckley on Wednesday morning while thieves used gas canisters on a Co-op machine in Cosby on Tuesday.

Two men, aged 36 and 31, have been detained in Warwickshire on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary and remain in custody in Leicestershire.

Live updates and more news across the East Midlands

The latest cash machine to be attacked was at a Tesco Express in Hinckley

Following the latest attacks, police are now investigating 27 raids in Leicestershire and Rutland in 19 months.

The East Midlands Special Operations Unit said there had also been about 26 thefts or attempted thefts in nearby Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire in the past year.

Thieves have used gas canisters to create explosions and JCB machines to rip cash machines from walls of supermarkets and post offices, often in the middle of the night.

Following the arrests, officers executed two warrants at premises in Mere Lane, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, where searches have been carried out.

Two women, aged 29 and 38, were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Police were at the scene of the latest attack at a Tesco store in Hinckley

Det Ch Insp Martin Smalley said: "There has been a dedicated team of detectives investigating the recent spate, and our work is still very much ongoing.

"Please continue to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity as we remain committed to tackling these crimes."