A Co-op store in Great Cornard is the latest to have been targeted in a ram raid attack where an attempt was made to steal a cash machine.

Police were called shortly before 11.10pm on Wednesday to the incident at the East of England Co-op store in The Drift following an alarm activation.

A white Citroen Berlingo van was reversed into the front shutters of the building, in what was believed to be an attempt to then remove the cash machine inside.

East Anglian Daily Times: A ram raid has taken place on the Co-op at The Drift in Great Cornard. Picture: GREGG BROWNA ram raid has taken place on the Co-op at The Drift in Great Cornard. Picture: GREGG BROWN

The van became stuck in the shutters and so the offenders abandoned the burglary and drove off in the direction of the Essex border, in a car described as a silver Subaru with a rear spoiler.

Officers arrived at the scene and searched the surrounding area, assisted by a National Police Air Service Helicopter, but the suspects were not located.

East Anglian Daily Times: A ram raid has taken place on the Co-op at The Drift in Great Cornard. Picture: GREGG BROWNA ram raid has taken place on the Co-op at The Drift in Great Cornard. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Any witnesses, or anyone with information about this crime, is asked to contact West CID at Bury St Edmunds Police Station on 101 quoting reference 77978/17, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The attack is the latest in a string of raids on Co-op stores in the region in recent weeks, but a spokesman for Suffolk police said he was unable to confirm whether the incidents are linked.

East Anglian Daily Times: A ram raid has taken place on the Co-op at The Drift in Great Cornard. Picture: GREGG BROWNA ram raid has taken place on the Co-op at The Drift in Great Cornard. Picture: GREGG BROWN

On November 21, a cash machine was stolen in a ram raid at the Halstead Co-op – less than two weeks after a JCB was used to ram raid the Long Melford store.

Earlier this week, there was a ram raid attempt at the Co-op in Rickinghall, near Diss, on the Suffolk/Norfolk border.

East Anglian Daily Times: A ram raid has taken place on the Co-op at The Drift in Great Cornard. Picture: GREGG BROWNA ram raid has taken place on the Co-op at The Drift in Great Cornard. Picture: GREGG BROWN