Ancaster: Digger smashes into village shop during raid

The thieves left empty-handed from the early-morning raid, said police

Thieves who smashed a telehandler into a village store to try and steal a cash machine fled empty-handed, said police.

The Co-op store in Ancaster, near Sleaford, was hit at 00:30 BST on Wednesday, said Lincolnshire Police.

The raid left a gaping hole in the shop and rubble strewn around the abandoned machine.

Marc Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire, said: "These criminal attacks are usually linked to organised crime groups."

His comments came in a tweet.

"Aside from the devastation to the shop and loss of amenity to the community, the loss of that farm machinery will impact a local farm too.

"It could be weeks before it's returned to owner", Mr Jones added.

A police guard is in place and anyone who witnessed the raid is asked to contact the force.

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The village store was badly damaged in the raid