Suspected ram raid at Co-operative in St Ives

Ram raiders smashed their way into the Co-operative store in St Ives in the early hours of this morning (Thursday).

The branch in Constable Road has been cordoned off and there is a heavy police presence at the scene following the incident, in which raiders appear to have smashed through a wall in a bid to remove a cash machine.

A spokesman from Central England Co-operative said: “We can confirm that an ATM was removed at our St Ives food store during the night on September 27. No members of staff were on duty at the time. The store is expected to trade as normal later today. We are giving our full support to the police while they investigate this matter.”

Cambridgeshire Police are appealing for witnesses following the incident.

A spokesman for the force said they were called at 3.16am.

Offenders raided the store and stole a cash machine before leaving in a grey Audi S3 Quattro and a blue Mazda B2500 Escape.

Officers followed the vehicles but were unable to trace them.

Det Sgt Dan Cooper said: “This was clearly a planned incident, with those responsible showing little regard for the safety of the public.

“I would urge anyone with information about the incident or those responsible to contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call on 101 quoting 35/33126/18 or report online at cambs.police.uk/report. Alternatively, you can report anonymously at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/