Gainsborough: Petrol station is latest to be targeted in spate of cash machine thefts

Police are appealing for information and witnesses after the cash machine was stolen from a petrol station in Lea Road, Gainsborough.

The incident was reported to police at 4.08am on Monday 23rd February.

It is believed the ATM was pulled from the wall using a JCB.

Investigating officers are appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual in the area at the time, or any suspicious vehicles, to contact Lincs Police on 101 quoting incident 34 of 23rd February 2015.

Or alternatively contact the independent charity Crimsetoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

This is the second cash machine to have been stolen using a JCB in Gainsborough.

On Sunday 11th January at around 3am the cash machine at Spar in Corringham Road was taken.

A spokeman from Lincs Police said: “An investigation into the theft of an ATM from Lea Road in Gainsborough is ongoing and we are following up on a number of lines of enquiry.”

“As with any investigation a number of enquiries were fact-tracked at the scene when the incident was reported, which included forensic examination, CCTV enquiries, and house-to-house enquiries.”

“We are still following up on a number of these and investigating whether this is linked to an earlier incident in January.”

“We appreciate and understand that local businesses and residents may well be concerned by this theft in the area, incidents of this type have happened not only in Lincolnshire recently but nationwide, and we are liaising with other Forces as part of our investigation.”

“A number of officers have also been in the local area talking to business owners and residents, both as part of the enquiry but also to offer advice and discuss any concerns they may have regarding safety and security.”

As well as incidents in Gainsborough, over the last few weeks cash machines have been stolen from shops and convenience stores in Blyth, Harthill, Hatfield, Crowle and Epworth.

A South Yorkshire police spokesman said ‘officers believe the incidents are linked’.

They said: “Police are working closely with a number of neighbouring forces in relation to reported ram raids at stores involving thefts or attempted thefts of cash machines.”

“Enquiries continue.”