Thieves rip cash machine from wall of Lloyds Bank in Cleobury Mortimer
Thieves have ripped a cash machine from the wall of Lloyds Bank in Cleobury Mortimer overnight.
The area was today taped off as police investigate the incident which has caused major damage to the front of the building.
Will Griffiths, 46, was driving through Cleobury High Street at 3.15am on his way to his shift as a delivery driver when he noticed a JCB cherry picker blocking the street.
Mr Griffiths said: "At first I thought 'who on earth has left this here?' But then I looked to the left and saw a gaping hole in the wall of Lloyds Bank.
"I stopped my car, and could hear that the JCB engine was still running. I rang 999 and reported the robbery.
"I then saw two local residents run out out of their houses. One who lives next door to the bank said he'd heard a massive bang and when he looked out of his window there was a masked man standing outside. He and the other man who lives opposite the bank both saw the cash point being lifted out by the cherry picker before the thieves made a quick getaway in a landrover.
"The police told me to carry on to work so I drove on the pavement to get around the JCB.
"It's not the sort of thing you expect to happen in a small Shropshire town! People think that nothing happens in the countryside, this has certainly given the local community a huge shock."
But he added: "I'd be surprised if there was any money in it at that time on a Sunday, it often runs out on a weekend!"
It is thought three or four people arrived at the scene and used a JCB to force entry to the premises. They then removed the cash machine from inside. The JCB used is believed to have been reported stolen.
The offenders are then thought to have left the scene, travelling in the direction of Cleehill in a red Land Rover. They may have also been seen on the Tembury Road.
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Mathew Crisp said: "We are actively pursing a number of lines of enquiry to identify the offenders and CCTV is currently being reviewed. I would also like to reassure local residents that there is thought to be no threat to the wider public. If you witnessed anything suspicious or saw a group of people in balaclavas in the early hours of this morning, please get in touch."
If you have any information that could help the investigation please call West Mercia Police on the non-emergency 101 number quoting incident reference number 49s of Monday 21 December.
Cleobury Mortimer recently began a pioneering crime saving initiative, 'Smart Water', a partnership approach between the parish council and police.
Reporter: Samantha Howells
