ATTEMPTED ram raiders fled empty-handed after trying to make off with a cash machine using a JCB-style loader at a petrol station at Gillingham yesterday.

ATTEMPTED ram raiders fled empty-handed after trying to make off with a cash machine using a JCB-style loader at a petrol station at Gillingham yesterday.

The BP station, which is next to McDonald's off the roundabout in Gillingham on the A146 Beccles bypass, was closed temporarily following the attempted raid, which took place in the early hours of yesterday morning, but has since re-opened.

Police cordoned off the grass area next to the service shop where the stand-alone cash machine had been rammed before being left knocked at an angle and dented. It is believed that no money was taken.

Police forensic experts were on the scene yesterday before attempts could be made to pull out the abandoned vehicle from the mud. It had left deep tracks in the muddy ground where it had accessed the site from the roundabout, and its wheels had begun to sink.

A Norfolk police spokesman said later: “Police were called at 2.46am this morning to a petrol station at Gillingham after an attempted theft of a cash machine at the location.

“Police are currently investigating the incident and are appealing for witnesses to come forward who saw anything suspicious around this time.”

Staff at the petrol station declined to comment.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Sergeant Gary Bloomfield at Bethel Street CID on 0845 4564567 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.