UPDATE THURSDAY 10.50AM: Donington store set to be closed '˜for some time' after attempted cash machine raid

RAM RAID: The tractor used in an attempted cash machine raid at the Coop, High Street, Donington. Photo by Tim Wilson.

The attempted ATM (automated teller machine) raid happened at the Co-op store in Market Place at about 3.20am when a gang used a John Deere tractor to try and take out the cash machine.

They later escaped in a dark 4x4 flat-bed vehicle and dark blue saloon car.

A spokesman for the Co-op said: “There was an attempted ATM theft at our Donington store in the early hours of this morning.

“Extensive damage was caused to the front of the store and it is too early to say when it will re-open.

“CCTV coverage has been shared with the police whose detectives are investigating the incident and we would appeal for anyone with information to come forward.”

Coun Jane King, South Holland District Council member for Donington, said: “The Co-op itself is so badly damaged that it looks like it will be sometime before the store is open again.

“But the chances of having a cash machine up and running again may be fairly remote.

“However, Donington Post Office is now open again inside Bargain Booze (on High Street) where people can go to the counter and get their money at a place that’s a little bit more private”.

In the meantime, Co-op is setting up a “pop-up shop” in the car park of the Black Bull pub from tomorrow (Friday) morning and the spokesman said: “The pop-up shop will continue to serve the community with a range of over 120 everyday essentials.”

Anyone with information about the attempted ATM raid should call Spalding CID on 101, quoting incident number 27 of September 29.

THURSDAY 9AM: Ram raid at Donington Co-op – front of shop demolished

RAM RAID: The scene outside the Co-op store in Donington where a gang used a tractor to try and steal an ATM machine during the early hours of Thursday morning. Photo by Tim Wilson.

There are reports of a suspected ram raid at the Donington Co-op store involving a green tractor taking out “most of the frontage”.

The High Street food store has a cash machine and police believe that was the intended target.

Police moments ago tweeted a picture from the scene showing the front of the store caved in and debris, including bricks, strewn across the pavement.

A police spokesman said: “We are investigating the attempted theft of an ATM in Donington.

“Around 3.20am on Thursday 29th September, a JCB tractor was used in an attempt to remove the ATM from the wall of the Co Op store in the Market Place.

“The attempt was unsuccessful and the offenders left the scene in a dark 4x4 flat bed vehicle and a dark blue saloon car.

“The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Spalding CID on 101, quoting incident number 27 of 29th September.”

One resident told us: “It looks like it has taken out most of the frontage.”

• Police have closed one lane of the A152 – juts for the few yards immediately outside the shop – because debris from the building has spilled across the path and the road.