Bank set to reopen after '˜audacious' ram-raid

At 3am last Monday (February 15) robbers used a JCB to smash through the front of Santander, on Hockliffe Street, in an attempt to lift a cash machine.

However they fled empty handed, leaving the excavator embedded in the bank’s lobby.

A Santander spokesperson has told the LBO that though a significant amount of repairs still need to be done, the branch is set to reopen on Monday morning (February 29).

In the meantime staff will continue to work in other Santander banks across the region.

Police continue to investigate the attempted robbery.

Detective sergeant Tom Hamm said: “We believe at least four offenders were involved in this audacious attempt to retrieve an ATM.

“Fortunately they were unsuccessful and fled the scene empty-handed along North Street, in what is believed to be either an Audi or a BMW.

“We have a number of officers working to help find those responsible, and we’re calling on the public to help us.”

He added: “The JCB is believed to have been stolen recently in Leighton Buzzard, and to see one being driven around late at night is quite unusual so if you have witnessed this recently we’d encourage you to get in touch.

“We’re also appealing for business and home owners in the vicinity of the incident who have their own CCTV to send it in to us, in the hope it may have captured those responsible.”