Police are appealing for information and witnesses after a cash machine was stolen from the Gulf service station on Lea Road, Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire.

The incident was reported to police at 4.08am on Monday 23rd February. It is believed the ATM was pulled from the wall using a JCB.

Investigating officers are appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual in the area at the time, or any suspicious vehicles, to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident 34 of 23/02/2015. Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimsetoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The theft is the second time this year a JCB has been used to steal a cash machine in Gainsborough. On Sunday 11th January at around 3am the cash machine at Spar in Corringham Road was taken.

In addition to the crimes in Gainsborough, over the last few weeks cash machines have been stolen, or attempts have been made to remove them, from shops and convenience stores in South Yorkshire at Harthill and Hatfield, in Lincolnshire at Crowle and Epworth, and at Blyth in Nottinghamshire.

A South Yorkshire police spokesman said they believed the incidents were linked.

He added: “Police are working closely with a number of neighbouring forces in relation to reported ram raids at stores involving thefts or attempted thefts of cash machines.”