Bungling crooks fail in JCB raid on cashpoint (From Gazette)

Bungling crooks fail in JCB raid on cashpoint

BUNGLING thieves used a JCB-style tractor in a ram raid at Manningtree railway station.

Boarded up – a workman tidies up at the scene of the crime at Manningtree station

They ripped a money box out of a cashpoint at the station, at about 3am yesterday.

The yellow vehicle was used to smash through locked blue doors at the station before a chain was attached to the 6ft high cashpoint, dragging out the cash box.

But it is believed they failed to get away with any money. The thieves left the vehicle in a ditch about a mile away and also dumped a grey Ford Transit van.

Commuters arrived at the station to find police had cordoned off the reception area.

Neil Skinner, chairman of Manningtree Rail Users’ Association, said: “I got a couple of texts from commuters saying the entire tickets area was cordoned off and they were using a fence near the buffet to get into the station.”

British Transport Police confirmed the cash machine, JCB and a van were all found abandoned close to the scene.

The thieves are thought to have fled the station towards Brantham, before coming to a stop near to the roundabout at Cattawade.

Initial inquiries suggest no money is missing from the machine, which is being examined.

A British Transport Police spokesman added: “Scenes of crimes officers are examining the scene in an effort to establish any forensic opportunities, while detectives are seeking to view CCTV from in and around the local area.”

Anyone with information should call British Transport Police on 0800 405040 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.