TWO men are in custody today following an attempted cash machine theft in Kent last night.

Kent Police arrested the pair on suspicion of burglary after they were stopped during a road check following the attempted theft in Dartford.

They’re currently being questioned at a police station in the county. The attempted theft happened at around 11.30pm at Dartford's Orchard Shopping Centre.

Police arrived within three minutes of being called and found a silver BMW car had been reversed through the centre’s main entrance doors, hitting and damaging a freestanding cash machine in the foyer.

Three young men tried to remove the cash machine before abandoning their attempt and running away across the car park towards Home Gardens.

The gang were seen getting into a red Ford Escort van parked at a bus stop in Home Gardens. They then drove off.

All three were wearing hooded tops and the van driver was reported to be a white, of stocky build, with dark cropped hair.

In a separate second incident, a freestanding cash machine was stolen from Faversham railway station at around 3am. Police believe a red van or 4x4 vehicle was used to take away the cash machine.

Task force officers investigating cash machine thefts across the county will examine whether there are any links or similarities between the incidents.

Kent Police has a £10,000 reward on offer for information leading to the arrest and conviction of criminals responsible for high value cash machine thefts.

Anyone with any information about the latest incidents, or any other cash machine thefts is asked to contact the Kent Police cash machine theft hotline number in confidence on 01622 654321. Alternatively, people can also contact Kent CrimeStoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555111.