SURREY Police is appealing for witnesses after three men attempted to steal a cash machine from the Co-op in Wrecclesham using a Land Rover Defender.

The incident happened at around 2am today when the offenders rammed into the building using a new-style Land Rover which was left at the scene.

Having smashed a hole into the side of the building they fled the shop in Wrecclesham Road without the cash machine.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward if they saw anything suspicious, specifically three unknown men outside the Co-op when it was closed at around midnight, anything relating to the incident when it happened at 2am, the vehicle they left in – a dark, old-style Land Rover Defender with an open back which drove away from the area south on Wrecclesham Road toward the roundabout.

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.”

Anyone with any information should call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference number 45160001236.