Digger ram raid on cash machine

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Thieves who attempted to smash a cash machine out of a wall using a forklift truck fled empty handed when police were called.

The raid happened at the Londis convenience store in Cleland, North Lanarkshire, at 0215 GMT on Tuesday.

Witnesses said the suspects rammed the ATM with a forklift truck and tried to tow it away using metal chains.

No money was taken and police said a 28-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the incident.

The raiders were disturbed by a passing taxi driver.

They rammed the cash machine about 12 times and were using ropes and chains to try and pull it free Gary Murray Neighbour

There was extensive damage to the store room of the shop where the cash machine was situated.

Store owner Nasar Aslam told the BBC Scotland News website he was alerted to the raid by a phone call from his cousin.

He said: "My cousin rang me in the middle of the night and told me there was a JCB outside the shop.

"Straight away I thought they would be trying to rob the ATM.

"When I arrived the police were already here. I was just shocked and couldn't believe the mess."

'Heard banging'

Mr Aslam said he was not sure yet how much it would cost to repair the damage to his shop.

Gary Murray who owns the neighbouring business, Empire Property, said: "I spoke to a man who lives across the road and he said he was watching TV in the early hours of the morning when he heard banging.

"He said they rammed the cash machine about 12 times and were using ropes and chains to try and pull it free. They were obviously very determined."

The stolen forklift truck was removed from the scene by police on Tuesday morning and a clear-up operation was underway.

A police spokeswoman confirmed that a 28-year-old man had been detained in connection with the incident.