Man arrested after attempted ATM theft

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A GROUP of men attempted to steal a cashpoint machine in Broadway by crashing into it with a 4x4 car.

The attempted raid took place about 5.15am today (Friday) as the group rammed the machine outside HSBC in the High Street with a white Mitsubishi Pajero.

They were disturbed by members of the public and fled in two vehicles, leaving two others - the Mitsubishi Pajero and a green Toyota Hilux pickup truck - at the scene. Police believe both cars were stolen.

Fifteen minutes later in the nearby village of Cleeve Prior police stopped a Ford Transit van which was seen in Broadway and had been converted into a horsebox. A man in his 30s was arrested and is currently in custody at Worcester Police Station.

Three other men, who drove off in a dark-coloured estate car from Broadway, have yet to be traced.

Det Sgt Craig Tennant, from West Mercia Police, said: "This was an audacious attempt to steal an ATM in an otherwise very peaceful village. Thankfully they were unsuccessful.

"We are questioning the man arrested and I would like the public's help tracing all those involved.

"If local people saw any suspicious activity in the High Street over the last 24 hours then we would like to speak to them, especially if they were up and about in the early hours of this morning.

"We would like to speak to anyone who saw a large estate car driving as speed in the Broadway area this morning."

Anyone with any information should call Det Sgt Tennant on the non-emergency police number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference number 22N 170812.

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