The Co-op in Kings Bromley will remain closed after a masked gang carried out a ram-raid at the store earlier this morning, Wednesday, August 2.

At around 3.10am today, a masked gang used a digger to smash their way through the side of the store in an apparent attempt to steal the ATM machine from inside. The attempt failed and they left empty handed, leaving the cash machine dangling from the arm of the JCB digger from a cord.

They fled when police arrived after having been alerted to the break-in, making their getaway in nearby waiting cars. The store was so badly damaged it remained closed today.

JCB digger in the side of the Co-op in Kings Bromley

A spokesman from the supermarket said: "There was an incident at our Kings Bromley food store in the early hours of this morning when a failed attempt to take the ATM occurred.

"Fortunately, no-one was hurt, however extensive damage has been caused to the store which remains closed while structural assessments are undertken.

"We apologise to the community for the inconvenience while their store remains closed, and we appeal for anyone with information to come forward to the police, who are investigating. It is too early to confirm when the store will re-open."

JCB digger in the side of the Co-op in Kings Bromley

The digger was abandoned at the store, and the scene was cordoned off by police so that a forensic examination could be carried out in a bid to catch the gang.

It is believed that the digger was stolen from Netherseal, and police are asking anyone with information to contact them on 101 quoting incident number 60 on August 2.