A quiet UK town has been left in shock after two brazen ram raids occurred within just 48 hours, with heavy machinery used to rip out cash machines. Detectives are actively investigating both incidents, which involved a digger being used to tear cash points from their locations.
First Raid in Ramsey
CCTV footage captured the first incident at a branch of Nationwide Building Society on the High Street in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, in the early hours of Tuesday, June 16. Police were called at 3:17 am after a JCB telehandler was used to smash into the building. The machine rammed the front of the bank several times before the cash machine was ripped out and stolen. The telehandler was then abandoned in the street as the thieves fled in two other vehicles.
Second Raid in Burwell
Just 24 hours later, thieves struck again, this time at an Asda supermarket on Ness Road in Burwell, approximately 30 miles away. Police were alerted to the second raid at 4:57 am on June 17. A similar method was used, with a telehandler—a combination of a forklift and a crane—employed to wrench the cash machine from the store. Again, two other vehicles were involved in the operation.
Police Response
Cambridgeshire Police confirmed they are actively investigating both incidents. Detective Inspector Jim Donington said: “We understand incidents like this are concerning for local residents, particularly given this is the second ram raid in the county in two days. Dedicated patrols are in place and we are actively investigating both incidents.” He urged the public to report any suspicious behaviour or vehicles that may have been stolen or used in unusual circumstances.
Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incidents, saw suspicious vehicles or activity in the area at the time, or has dashcam, doorbell, or CCTV footage that could assist the investigation.
How to Help
For the June 16 incident in Ramsey, anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference 35/44789/26. For the June 17 incident in Burwell, information can be provided online quoting reference incident 51 of June 17. The public’s assistance is vital in helping prevent further offences and identifying those responsible.
