THE NATWEST bank in Hatherleigh was targetted by thieves early on Saturday morning and a cash machine was stolen.

Officers are searching for information regarding the break in which occurred at around 3.15am at the bank on Bridge Street, Hatherleigh.

Police said that a stolen red Manitou fork-lift vehicle was used to penetrate the building and then pull the ATM from the wall in order to gain access to it. It is

believed that the offenders then made off from the scene in an unknown

vehicle.

There were possibly three men involved who were dressed in reflective clothing and may have been wearing hard hats.

The Manitou was stolen from the Bideford area between the evening of Thursday, February 18 and early morning the following day.

Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the vehicle — which is a distinctive heavy duty vehicle, capable of a speed of only 40mph — parked or being driven between February 18 and 20 in the areas of Bideford or Okehampton, or anywhere in between.

Witnesses are being encouraged to come forward and report any sightings of the vehicle to support the investigation.

Also of interest is any suspicious or unusual

behaviour demonstrated by people in the vicinity of the bank over the previous weeks.

If you have any information relating to the incident, please contact the police on 08452 777444 and quote log reference number 350/February 20, or alternatively information can be given

confidentially via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.