THIEVES attempted to steal an ATM machine from Cressing Service Station.

They used a large white Mercedes Benz Sprinter van to try and remove the ATM outside the garage, in Braintree Road, at around 3.30am on Tuesday, April 19.

The robbers cut the power of the garage’s CCTV system at 12.35am before beginning the work to remove the section with the cash.

Between that time and 3.30am it is believed the thieves regularly moved back and forth between a hiding spot, taking care to avoid detection from passing cars.

The police, who were made aware of the incident, turned up at the garage and chased the robbers off, as they fled with cash point in tow.

Admiral Vedamanikkam, store manager, was called to the service station by police at around 4.30am.

He said: “The thieves drove the machine towards Braintree for about a mile and then realised they were in trouble so they had to leave the machine and ran into a nearby field.

“The police used a dog unit to chase them.

“Luckily all the money was recovered, but the company has taken it out and may not be putting it back, they are waiting for a report from the police.”

It took Mr Vedamanikkam around four hours to get the service station open again and restore power to the building.

The service station was the victim of a fuel robbery in 2014 and Mr Vedamanikkam feels crime has been increasing in the area.

He said: “There is quite a lot of burglaries that are happening around here at the moment.”

The Mercedes van is suspected to have been stolen from London.

Officers want to speak to anyone who saw a Sprinter van or anyone acting suspiciously nearby or by the A120 after 11pm on April 19.

Anyone with any information should contact Dc Nicholas Phillips at the Serious Organised Crime Unit on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.