POLICE last night said they were keeping “an open mind” over the possibility a bank raid this week in Lakenheath - in which thieves made off with a six figure stash - is connected with a similar incident in Sudbury.

The raiders struck at the Lloyds TSB branch in High Street Lakenheath at about 11.45pm on Tuesday night.

Although police have declined to state how much money was stolen it is believed it was a six-figure sum.

They broke into the bank by forcing the locks on the front door. Once inside the burglars used cutting equipment to remove the lock from the loading door of the ATM machine.

Three men were seen dressed in dark clothing and balaclavas going into the bank.

They were said to be driving a silver estate car with blue neon lights fitted underneath.

The raid comes just days after similar incidents in Sudbury.

On Sunday, balaclava-clad raiders rammed a forklift truck into a cashpoint outside Tesco in Sudbury.

Damage valued at more than �5,000 was caused to the Springlands Way store in the raid, which happened just after 4am.

Police said the forklift truck was stolen from a nearby building site in the Woodhall Business Park before being used to ram the cash point.

Two men made their escape in a blue Toyota Hilux truck and a green Subaru Impreza. The Toyota, which was stolen from Sudbury Road in Acton last Tuesday evening, was found abandoned in Springlands Way.

And last Wednesday, two men brandishing blunt weapons confronted a G4S Cash Solutions van driver as he was about to deliver money to the very same cash machines damaged in Sunday’s raid.

On that occasion the men fled empty handed after the driver locked himself in the van.

A police spokeswoman said although the Lakenheath and Sudbury incidents involved “different methods” officers were “keeping an open mind” about a possible connection.

Anybody with information about the Lakenheath incident should contact Det Insp Karl Smith at Forest Heath CID on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.