A bungling criminal gang smashed a 4x4 vehicle into the front of a shop in the second ram-raid there this year.

People living near the Co-op in High Street, Dedham, heard a loud bang as the stolen Isuzu Trooper was reversed into the store at about 1am today.

It caused thousands of pounds of damage to the listed building - hit in an almost identical attempt in June - but despite attempts to drag out a cash machine, nothing of value was taken.

Police said the two raids, plus others in Clacton and Ipswich in June, may be the work of the same masked gang.

Anyone with information about the ram-raid should call Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111