A CASH machine was stolen from a village shop after it was rammed with a digger in the early hours of the morning.


It happened at about 2am on Monday, when suspects used a JCB digger to smash the wall of Sainsbury's in Brandon, near Durham, before loading a cash machine into the back of a silver pickup truck.


The store, which was closed on Monday, was left with a gaping hole in the wall, while the digger was abandoned at the scene.

Brian Grieveson, who lives opposite the shop in Grove Road, said: "The alarm was going off so I looked out but I couldn't see much going on. 


"The next thing I heard lots of shouting. When I looked out there were sparks flying. It made a racket alright. 


"The next thing I knew there was a van and it nicked off down the road. 
"Fifteen minutes the police were there. When I came out this morning I could see it was in a right state. I couldn't believe it."


Shaun Taylor, of Briar Avenue, said: "It was between 2am and 3am this morning. I'd just got to sleep when my dog went mental. I could hear a lot of shouting, then I just heard a car speed of. 


"By the time I got up they were gone."


Another woman, who lives nearby, added: "It just makes my heart sink. It's on all of our doorsteps.


"It's awful what goes through your mind."


Acting Inspector Steve Richards of Durham Constabulary said: “At around 2am this morning, we received numerous reports from members of the public that there was a JCB digger outside of Sainsbury’s in Brandon with alarms sounding.

“We believe that suspects have used a JCB digger to smash the wall of the store, causing significant damage, before loading a cash machine onto the back of a silver coloured pickup truck and driving away. The JCB was left at the scene.

“Investigations are ongoing and a number of lines of enquiry are being pursued.

“A cordon will remain in place while we conduct our enquiries and there will be a noticeable police presence in the area.

“Anyone with CCTV footage or information about the incident should call Durham CID via 101, quoting reference 24 of today. Alternatively, information can passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”