BRAZEN thieves used a digger to destroy the front of a Co-op store in the early hours of the morning in a bid to steal the cash machine.

The crooks pulverised the front of the supermarket in Samson’s Road, Brightlingsea, and abandoned the vehicle at the scene after the attempted heist in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

A police cordon was in place for most of yesterday, and the store was closed as an  investigation was launched, while debris from the front of the shop remained strewn all over the car park.

Residents gathered at the scene to survey the damage, joined by staff and security operators.

It is believed a thief stole the unused digger and drove it across a nearby field before ramming into the shop.

A spokesman for the Co-op said engineers would check the safety of the building thoroughly before reopening it.

He said: “The store will remain closed whilst scenes of crime officers carry out their investigations.  “Substantial damage has been caused to the front of the building which will be checked for structural stability ahead of the store reopening.

“Our onsite forecourt is open and trading as normal.”

Regular customers were advised to use another store while  works was done to ensure the site was suitable.

He said: “East of England Co-op customers are also able pick up their daily essentials from the nearby Co-op Daily store on Station Road, Brightlingsea.”

The spokesman urged anyone with any knowledge of the incident  to get in touch with police as soon as possible.

He said: “We would urge anyone with any information to contact Essex Police or call Crimestoppers anonymously.”

Police said they were still investigating whether the raiders had been able to make off with any cash.

A spokesman confirmed a suspect had been arrested in connection with the theft and remained in custody.

He said: “A 38-year-old man from Colchester is in custody having been arrested in connection with the theft of a cash machine in Brightlingsea.

“It happened at around 2.45am on Tuesday August 30, “A digger had been used to ram the unit which was built into the wall of the premises.  “The digger and parts of the ATM were left at the scene.  “It is unclear whether any cash was removed at this stage.”

Police continue to question the suspect.

The spokesman added: “Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Essex Police on 101.”

Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

It is the second time the store has been ram raided.

  • RESIDENTS were left shocked after the incident which could be heard by neighbours hundreds of yards away.

Charlotte Paterson, who lives on Samson’s Road, said she heard the sound of crunching metal at because she was already awake but initially thought it was coming from a nearby recycling centre.

She said: “It was approximately 3am and I was already awake and just by chance I had the window open.

“I heard this horrible metal screeching noise and banging – like someone was opening a metal gate.

“I thought it was the recycling plant because they have a big gate like that, but then it sounded like someone was stealing a skip.

“There was such a lot of horrible, grinding metal noises.

“It was all over really quickly – something like three or five minutes.

“Then I heard a digger, followed by an incredibly loud bang – after that it just went quiet.

“I called 999 but the police already knew about it – the cash machine must have been alarmed and then the police helicopter was up.

“I still thought it was the recycling plant then I saw the Co-op and was really shocked.

“It must have been quite carefully planned to do it all so quickly.”

Ms Paterson said residents had been concerned at the shrinking police numbers in Brightlingsea for some time.

She said: “There is not a regular police presence in Brightlingsea anymore and there has not been for probably two or three years.

“I think it is affecting the town and people are quite worried.

“It is odd because I would have thought at the end of a busy, seaside Bank Holiday weekend there would not have been much money left in the cash machine.”

Other residents feared the Co-op would be facing a lengthy closure whilst the damage was repaired and expressed their shock at how dramatic traders could target Brightlingsea.

Brightlingsea resident Stephen Johnson, took pictures of the incident scene when he stumbled up it at 6.30am.

He said: “We heard about it on Facebook and I went up there with my brother.

“When we got there, there was one police car there. It looks like the cash machine was completely removed.”

Another residents who was at the scene but wanted to remain anonymous said:”You just never think this sort of thing could ever happen in Brightlingsea.

“It is absolutely shocking.

“You would never have thought something like this could happen here because it is usually so quiet.

“You just hope police got here in time to get the right person.”