Sawbridgeworth Nationwide ram-raid: Police investigating link to pick-up found burned out in Cambridgeshire

02/05/2024 08:30 in Sawbridgeworth News

chris.carter@bishopsstortfordindependent.co.uk

Police investigating an audacious ram-raid on the Nationwide Building Society in Sawbridgeworth are trying to establish if a vehicle found burned out in Cambridgeshire is linked to the incident.

The raiders struck at the branch in Knight Street early last Tuesday morning (April 23). A video taken by a resident showed them using a stolen telehandler to hoist the cash machine from the smashed-in bank in Knight Street before loading it onto the back of a pick-up.

The Truckman pick-up, belonging to sports ground maintenance firm Garson’s, had also been stolen, from the George IV pub in Knight Street.

Later on Tuesday, a similar vehicle was found burned out in Cambridgeshire and there were reports the cash machine had been found torched.

A spokeswoman for Hertfordshire police said: “A vehicle was located burnt out in the Cambs area and enquiries are ongoing to establish if it is the vehicle that was used.”

She added: “We understand the incident has caused concern among the local community. We are continuing to do everything we can to investigate and identify those involved

“We’d like to thank everyone who has been in touch with information and footage so far. If you have any information which may assist ongoing enquiries, please get in touch. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can share information via Crimestoppers.”

The raid, which involved at least three men, caused severe damage to the building, which was hit by a similar smash and grab in 2007.

Nationwide has yet to confirm when the branch – which opens Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 9am and 4.30pm – will reopen, how much money was taken or the extent of the damage

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