Thieves fail in bid to tunnel into bank
BUNGLING bank robbers targeted cash machines by tunnelling through from a business next door.
Staff members at Tricketts Insurance Brokers, on Bank Street, Rawtenstall, were stunned after thieves left behind thousands of pounds in damage after breaking into their business in an apparent attempt to tunnel through to the branch of Santander next door.
The raiders forced open the office’s steelplated back door before using hammers and chisels to hack away at the wall in an attempt to break through to next door.
Tricketts director Janine Packman, who visited the premises by chance on Sunday, believes the thieves were targeting two cash machines, in the bank next door.
But eventually they only actually made off with around £20 in cash from Tricketts after ransacking the premises.
Janine said: “When I got into the main room, my mouth dropped.
“There was a hole in the wall - they were trying to get to the Santander ATM on the other side. You could see the outer metal casing through to the corner and side of the ATM.
“We don’t believe they used power tools - there’s no evidence - so they must have used chisels and hammers - it was a massive effort.”
Despite only losing around £ 20 in petty cash, Janine believes that the cost of repairing the damage to Tricketts is at least £ 10,000.
She said: “Everyone is quite shocked, though it’s sunk in a little now.
“The ‘ Bank Holiday Bank Heist of Rawten- stall’ - it’s just insanity, who decides that‘s a good idea?”
Aside from damage to the back door and wall, the thieves have destroyed an old counter desk - which was original to the building and had sentimental value among staff.
Janine says the business has been able to continue trading quickly, as no company computers or documents were taken, and there was no breach in the security of customers’ data.
Lancashire Police confirmed they received a call about a suspected burglary at a commercial premises on Bank Street, Rawtenstall around 2pm on Sunday, August 26.
A spokesperson said: “Suspects have tried to smash the wall next to the bank and appear to have been looking to target cash machines.”
There have been no arrests.
Anyone with any information should call Lancashire Police on 101, quoting reference EF1813251.