Details of the ram-raid in which a digger was used to rip a cash machine from Lloyds bank in Lydd, Romney Marsh, Kent have emerged. The raid, which took place at 3.30am, left Lydd High Street closed for much of this morning while Police investigated and the road was cleared of the 8 tonne digger left by the robbers and the debris caused when it was smashed into the bank.
Police say two offenders dressed in dark clothing and wearing balaclavas took part in the raid on the Lydd bank using an 8 tonne JCB digger to pull the cash machine from the wall before loading it into one of two a light coloured 4x4 vehicles and driving off.
Police rushed to the scene, with first patrol cars arriving within 7 minutes of the call, while other cars went to likely routes taken by the offenders to get out of the area and surrounding roads and countryside.
Police are now searching for the offenders, one of whom is described as having an Irish accent. Physically, one is said to be stocky and 5’10” tall. The other is between 5’10” and 6’ tall.
Superintendent Mark Nottage said, "Kent police have had significant success in bringing the perpetrators of similar crimes to justice in recent years. Over the last two and a half years Serious and Organised Crime Unit investigations have led to 15 convictions for cash point, or ATM offences. Their sentences add up to just under 100 years".
Speaking after the incident he said, "Investigations at the scene are now complete, and the High Street was re opened at around 11.45hrs. I apologise for the inconvenience the closure has caused the community."
The raid on the Lydd bank follows previous ram-raid incidents across the Romney Marshes. In a similar raid in April, thieves crashed a digger into a Hamstreet convenience store making off with the ATM machine.
Pictures (c) Romney Marsh Times
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