Gang of four in bid to steal cash machine

A GANG who threatened shop staff and tried to make off with a cash machine are being hunted.

At around 10pm on Sunday, police were called to the Co-op shop on Dewhurst Terrace in Sunniside, Gateshead.

Two men threatened staff and stole cigarettes, while two others attempted to steal a cash machine.

The thieves failed to remove the cash machine, but customers were unable to use the out of order ATM yesterday. None of the staff members were injured but they were left “incredibly shaken”.

Detectives are now appealing for anyone with information to come forward as they try to identify those involved.

Det Insp Angela Hufton said: “This was an unusual incident that is not very common in our force area. It was a sophisticated robbery and there must have been a degree of planning.

“We want anyone who may have seen people acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the incident to get in touch. No matter how insignificant you think your bit of information may be, it could be the last piece of the jigsaw that allows us to establish exactly what has happened.”