Would-be thieves blow up Darlington Matalan ATM

A cash machine has been blown up outside a Matalan in Darlington.

The machine outside the store was targeted at about 01:20 BST with the explosion heard around the area.

Durham Police said the blast on Neasham Road was not terror-related and it is believed a "quantity of cash" has been stolen.

Resident Harry Chown, 28, said he was woken by a "violent explosion which shook my house".

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The explosion was reportedly heard several miles away

Insp Chris Knox said it was a "targeted incident on this cash machine and no other premises have been targeted".

He said: "It has caused a large explosion and quite significant damage."

The officer said a car was seen leaving the area at the time and he appealed for information or witnesses.

Although no injuries have been reported, Mr Knox said it "may well be" that given the size of the blast "one of the offenders is injured as a result of the explosion".

The blast was heard at about 01:20 BST

Mr Chown said: "It looks like thieves have gone overkill on explosives whilst trying to blow open a standalone ATM.

"It's been obliterated and flattened trees and signs and scattered debris everywhere.

The cash machine had stood outside Matalan inside a kiosk

"Social media suggests people two miles away heard it which explains why my house shook so violently only 500ft (150m) away."

Mr Chown added the explosion "shoved" the kiosk containing the cash machine "10m (33ft) along the car park".

The kiosk was obliterated in the blast