Officers have appealed for witnesses after Biggleswade’s Aldi store was ram-raided in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Police said that just before 3am, a blue Land Rover – which is thought to have been stolen – was used to drive into the front entrance of the store off Bonds Lane, causing considerable damage.

The burglars tried to remove the cash machine but were unsuccessful. They left in a second vehicle, a metallic blue Audi, and are believed to have driven off towards the High Street and Market Square.

Det Con Andy Boston, who is investigating, said: “We believe there were around five people involved in the ram raid, which caused a lot of damage to the premises. We are keen to trace the people responsible and believe there may have been members of the public in the area at the time of the incident.

“If you were in the area at the time of the incident and you saw anything unusual, or you recall seeing vehicles matching the descriptions of the vehicles used, please come forward. We would like to hear from anyone who may have any information about this incident, no matter how small.”

Anyone with information should call DC Boston on 101 or use the forces online reporting tool at bedfordshire.police.uk/report/Report, quoting Op Linhouse. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.