A funeral director has reassured residents it is “operating as normal” following the dramatic theft of a cash machine from a neighbouring building.
Police were called to Halstead High Street in the early hours of Thursday (September 10) after reports that a telehandler had been used to rip an ATM from the wall, leaving significant structural damage.
The vehicle involved is believed to have been a Matbro lifting truck.
The incident, which prompted a road closure while emergency services and forensic teams attended, has left many in the town shaken, with some drawing comparisons to similar incidents in previous years.
Daniel Robinson and Sons, whose funeral home sits next to the targeted building, has now issued an update confirming its premises were not affected and services remain unchanged.
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A spokesperson for the business said: “In the early hours of this morning, the adjacent building to our funeral home was attacked and the cashpoint stolen, causing significant damage to that building and leaving debris that has blocked part of the public highway.
“I want to reassure the whole community that the funeral home itself is a separate building and is undamaged and operating as normal. Daniel Robinson’s continues to be available to support the people in their time of need.
“As a local family business, we understand the impact this theft has had on the local community in the total loss of the cash point, a vital piece of local infrastructure and disruption to the flow of traffic and pedestrians. There has also been damage to local phone and internet cables potentially affecting business and domestic services.
“We have heard many concerned voices in the community this morning calling for a restored localised police presence for the protection of businesses and the people of Halstead, to deter this type of crime.
“We are working tirelessly to remove the debris and free up the highway and apologise for any inconvenience whilst temporary repairs and the subsequent full repair take place and ask for everyone’s continued support and understanding.”
The High Street has since reopened, with clean-up efforts ongoing.
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