Ram raiders smashed a stolen JCB into the front of a Southend shop and made off with a cashpoint machine.

It happened just before 3am today when the JCB, stolen from Hanson Brick, in Star Lane, Great Wakering, was driven into Londis supermarket in Southchurch Road, taking out the entire front.

The raiders loaded the TRM brand machine into a waiting getaway vehicle, dumped the JCB in the middle of the road and made off.

It was not unclear how much cash was in the machine or how much damage has been caused.

Shop owner Steve Gale, who also owns Steve's Self Drive Hire, in Bentalls Close, Southend, said: "It appears to have been a completely random incident. They must have thought there was a lot of money in the machine. Southchurch Road is normally a good area and we don't get any trouble there so this has come out of the blue."

Repairmen were at the shop today and Mr Gale said it would be open for business as usual. Southchurch Road was closed for a short while early this morning while the JCB was moved and police hunted for clues.

Detectives have taken CCTV tapes from Londis and neighbouring shops.

A police spokesman said: "We received the call at 2.57am when the burglar alarm went off. It appears they have smashed in the whole shop front and taken a cash machine that was inside."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about the JCB theft from Great Wakering should call Southend police on 01702 431212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Published Friday October 11, 2002

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