BUNGLING ram-raiders dragged a cash machine out of a Suffolk post office door but fled empty handed when they discovered it had already been emptied.The raiders who struck at Holbrook post office just before 4am yesterday are believed to have attached a scaffolding pole to a black Range Rover, possibly stolen from Chelmondiston, to get past anti ram-raid bollards outside the front door.

BUNGLING ram-raiders dragged a cash machine out of a Suffolk post office door but fled empty handed when they discovered it had already been emptied.

The raiders who struck at Holbrook post office just before 4am yesterday are believed to have attached a scaffolding pole to a black Range Rover, possibly stolen from Chelmondiston, to get past anti ram-raid bollards outside the front door.

Sub-postmaster Paul Gladwell was alerted by a neighbour and arrived to find the customer car park littered with the scaffolding pole and broken cash machine, and the abandoned Range Rover with its engine still running and doors open.

He believes the raiders drove off in a second get away car. He said: "They must have literally just got away by the time the police, who had been in Stutton, got here. When I arrived the Range Rover had been left in the middle of the drive with the engine running and doors open. They must have used something like a boat harness to pull the cash machine from its anchor"

But he added: "They didn't get away with anything because the machine is always empty over night."

Sheila and Colin Ashman, who live next door, opened the post office in 1997. Former sub postmaster, Mr Ashman, 67, said they always close the gates across the car park because security was a priority.

Mrs Ashman, 65, said: "I heard a big bang at about 4am and I guess that was the scaffold pole ramming the door.

"I looked out of the window and saw the gates were open. There was a black car with no lights on. It was completely dark, then there was a terrific noise and I guess that was them pulling out the cash machine."

Mr Ashman said: "I was immediately listening for the post office alarms but there was no noise because they did not break in to the secure area of the post office."

A police spokeswoman said: "The raiders didn't manage to escape with anything.

"Attempts were made to remove a cash dispenser from inside the building but it was pulled out and left at the scene.

"The stolen vehicle was also left at the scene and the raiders fled on foot."

Anyone with any information about the Holbrook raid should call Suffolk police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.