Burglars using JCB to raid cash machine smash police car windscreen after being caught

CCTV shows the stolen vehicle repeatedly driven into the front of a Co-op store

A gang of ramraiders used a JCB to try and steal a cash machine before they smashed a police car window and escaped.

CCTV showed the stolen industrial vehicle, called a telescopic handler, being repeatedly driven into the front of a Co-op store as the would-be thieves tried to smash their way inside.

Police arrived seconds later and the offenders fled after smashing the windscreen of the police car – causing cuts to the faces of two officers.

The raiders fled empty-handed from the shop in Elmton Road in Creswell, Derbyshire, following the raid at about 1.54am on Wednesday.

The men, who had covered their faces, left in another car in the direction of the A616.

A Derbyshire Police spokesman said: “Officers were alerted to an alarm at the Co-op store on Elmton Road, and officers in the area attended the incident.

“They disturbed which we believe to be three men who had driven a fork lift truck into the window of the shop.”

(Derbyshire Police/SWNS (Derbyshire Police/SWNS)

He added: “As the officers arrived, the offenders smashed the windscreen of the police car and fled from the scene. Our officers suffered cuts to their face.

“The men, who had been wearing coverings to their faces, left in a vehicle in the direction of the A616.

“We would like to speak to anyone who may have seen the incident, or any suspicious activity in the area around the time of the incident.”

Anyone with information is asked to call DC Craig Chidlow on 101, quoting reference 18*161888, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A police spokesman said no arrests had yet been made.

SWNS