Cash Machine Stolen

A gang has used a digger to steal a hole-in-the-wall machine from a Lloyds TSB bank in Maidstone.

They loaded the machine into a blue pick up truck which was later found abandoned near Collier Street.

The raid happened at about 3.40am Saturday morning in Loose Street.

An excavator, taken from a nearby building site, was seen being driven into the wall of the Lloyds TSB bank causing structural damage.

One machine was quickly loaded onto a blue pick-up truck style vehicle that made off along Cripple Street towards Farley Hill. The excavator was left at the scene.

No-one was hurt and no weapons were used.

Det Sgt Shelley Chantler said: "Members of the public may have been in the area when the theft happened and witnessed the incident or the events leading up to it.

"We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have seen or heard anything in the early hours of Saturday morning, in particular if vehicles were seen arriving in or leaving the area."

Police are also appealing for witnesses in the Claygate area of Marden where the pick-up was abandoned.

Anyone with information can contact Kent Police on 01622 604283 or Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.