A LAND Rover Defender linked to a botched ram raid at the Co-op in Wrecclesham has been recovered.

The vehicle was recovered in Thursley on Wednesday night after a member of public reported it following an appeal for information yesterday.

Anyone who saw the vehicle (pictured) being driven to an area off Thursley Road, or the occupants of the vehicle, should call Surrey Police immediately on 101 or report it via surrrey.police.uk, quoting reference number 45160001236.

A “new style" Land Rover Defender was rammed into the Co-op in Wrecclesham Road at around 2am on Wednesday as three men attempted unsuccessfully to steal a cash machine.

They left that vehicle at the scene and drove away empty-handed in a second “old style" Land Rover Defender, the one recovered in Thursley.

The break-in left a huge hole in the side of the Co-op, which was also targeted in August last year when hooded thieves made off with a haul of cigarettes.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward if they saw anything suspicious related to Wednesday’s raid, and specifically three unknown men “hanging around” outside the Co-op when it was closed at around midnight.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Rebecca Phillips said: “There are a number of things we are asking the public to come forward and help us with. If you went anywhere near the Co-op at midnight and saw three men hanging around in the area, or if this was you, please contact us.

“Residents nearby may also have been woken up by a loud noise at 2am as three men used a newer-style Land Rover Defender to ram into the building, and we are keen to hear from you if you saw an old-style Land Rover Defender leaving the area.”

Information can also be reported anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.