Burglars ram-raided a post office near Leeds to steal a cash machine but left empty handed.
At 1.30am on Tuesday 4 September police received a report that three to six males wearing balaclavas were raiding the Post Office, in High Street, Boston Spa.
A black VW Golf estate had been repeatedly reversed into the front of the shop to gain access to the cash machine in the window.
The suspects then tied straps around the cash machine and attempted to pull it from the shop. When the rope snapped they tried to break open the cash box on the machine by driving into it and kicking it.
They were unsuccessful and left empty-handed.
The suspects left the scene in white Seat Leon, displaying the registration DE15 NWW, which is believed to be false. The black Golf, registration YA52 NWF, was left at the scene and has been recovered for forensic examination. That vehicle had been stolen from the Cross Green area of Leeds yesterday.
Detective Inspector James Entwistle, of Leeds District CID, said: “We are carrying out extensive enquiries and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident.
“We are also keen to speak to anyone who has seen either of the vehicles involved at any time leading up to the incident, or who has seen the white Seat Leon which the suspects drove off in.
“We appreciate that a burglary in such dramatic circumstances in the main high street will cause understandable concern in this close-knit community and we are liaising with our colleagues on the local neighbourhood policing team who will be working to reassure people following this incident.”