Two ATMs were ripped from the wall of the Royal Bank of Scotland branch on Peebles' Eastgate at about 03:00 in an apparent ram-raid. A telehandler was used to smash into the building and then to extract the machines, which were loaded onto a stolen horsebox. Police say several vehicles believed to be stolen were involved and three men were seen leaving the scene; CCTV is being examined and witnesses are urged to come forward. Local bus services to the nearby stop have been suspended while the area is cleared.
Two ATMs Ripped From Peebles RBS Branch In Early-Morning Ram-Raid And Loaded Onto Horsebox
The bank was targeted in the early hours of the morning [BBC]
Two cash machines were forcibly removed from the wall of the Royal Bank of Scotland branch on Eastgate in Peebles in the early hours of the morning and loaded onto a horsebox after a ram-raid, Police Scotland said.
Rubble was left strewn across the pavement following the incident [BBC]
The raid happened at about 03:00, prompting the temporary closure of Peebles High Street to vehicles while officers carried out initial enquiries. A telescopic forklift (telehandler) was used to smash into the building and later to extract the two ATMs before they were placed onto the horsebox. The telehandler was then abandoned in the street.
The road was closed to traffic following the raid [BBC]
Police reported that three vehicles entered the Eastgate area during the incident: a grey Audi saloon, a grey Isuzu D-Max pick-up towing a horsebox, and a Manitou telehandler. Officers said the pick-up and horsebox had been reported stolen prior to the raid, and the vehicle used to ram the bank is also believed to be stolen and was left at the scene.
Anyone with information about the incident has been asked to contact police [BBC]
Rubble was scattered across the pavement and the bank frontage was badly damaged. Witnesses reported three men dressed in dark clothing leaving the area in the Audi and the pick-up, heading toward Northgate.
Det Insp Keith Sinclair said: "This was clearly a planned series of crimes, involving stolen vehicles, to target the cash machines. Extensive inquiries are ongoing to trace the suspects and officers are working through CCTV from the area and speaking to witnesses."
Police have appealed for anyone with information or anyone who saw any of the vehicles to come forward. Footage circulated on social media appears to show the telehandler dragging the machines out of the damaged building and lowering them onto the horsebox, while an individual in dark clothing can be seen directing the operation.
Borders Buses warned that it will not be able to serve the nearby bus stop until further notice as investigations continue and the scene is cleared.
Officers continue to review CCTV and doorbell footage from the area and are asking witnesses to contact Police Scotland with any information that could help identify those involved.
Help us improve.
