Police are investigating after reports of an attempted ram raid in St Neots in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday).

Officers were called to a branch of the Halifax bank, in High Street, at about 3.30am, amid reports that thieves had attempted to steal a cash machine.

Police say that sledgehammers were used to try and force open the machine. It is believed cash was taken but it is not yet known how much.

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire police said: “The offenders left the scene in what is believed to be a blue Ford Focus. A grey/green Daihatsu Sportrak was left at the scene.”

The news comes just weeks after a similar attack at the town’s branch of Spar, in Cambridge Street.

In that incident, on September 8, a JCB digger was used to rip a cash machine from a wall, with serious damage caused to the building and £25,000 stolen.

Police have not said at this stage whether the two incidents are being linked.

Anyone with information should contact Cambridgeshire police on 101 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.