RAIDERS destroyed the front of a small supermarket and made off with a cash machine after ramming the shop with a stolen Jeep. The incident happened at Budgens, in Kestral Way, on the Fallowfield estate in Sandy, in the early hours of last Thursday mornin

RAIDERS destroyed the front of a small supermarket and made off with a cash machine after ramming the shop with a stolen Jeep.

The incident happened at Budgens, in Kestral Way, on the Fallowfield estate in Sandy, in the early hours of last Thursday morning.

Police were called when the black Cherokee Jeep was reversed through the front of the shop at 2.25am.

The Jeep had arrived with a white Ford Sierra Cosworth, both stolen in Hertfordshire.

It was reversed towards the front of the store and smashed through bollards, metal shutters and a plate glass window.

About four people got out, tied a fire fighter's hose round the cash machine, which was bolted to the floor inside the shop, and dragged it out using the Jeep.

They then loaded the cash machine into it and both cars drove off towards the A1.

Police found the vehicles abandoned on a track just off the A1 Tempsford bridge.

A third vehicle, a silver Mitsubishi flat bed 4x4, was recovered shortly afterwards at Myers Road in Potton.

It is not known whether the Mitsubishi was involved in the ram raid but it is suspected to have been stolen as it was displaying false number plates.

Michelle Shaw, manager of Budgens, which has only been open six months, said the front of the shop was badly damaged but trading had continued as normal while repairs were made.

However, she added: "We won't be replacing the cash machine because of the hassle, the stress and strain that it's caused."

Witnesses to the raid describe the offenders as wearing home-made balaclava-type masks, three of which were white and one which was pink or red.

One offender had a dark green parka-style hooded coat, and one of the others had a peacock-blue padded jacket with a white stripe down the side. Although similar in style to ram raids in Langford, Potton, Biggleswade and Arlesey last year, the burglary is not being officially linked with these previous incidents.

Now police are keen for any witnesses to the Sandy incident to get in touch.

Dc Hazel Taylor, at Bedford CID, said: "Usually before these offences the raiders have had a good look at the premises and also checked out suitable vehicles that they can steal to carry out the attack.

"They may have enquired with owners of 4x4 vehicles, particularly in remote areas, about buying the cars in order see if they meet their requirements.

"We have had reports in the area of two men hanging round looking at vehicles - one with blond hair.

"If you've been approached by these people - or noticed anything else suspicious - then you should contact the police, your information might be essential to our investigation."

Dc Taylor can be contacted on 01234 275347.