RAM-RAIDERS targeted a convenience store in Kent early today in the latest in a spate of similar incidents across the county.

A cash machine was removed from the wall of the Allday’s store in Reculver Road, Beltinge, near Herne Bay.

A mechanical digger on a flatbed lorry was used to get the machine out of the wall just after 4.30am.

The lorry, digger and machine were left at the scene after the dye inside the machine was activated. It is not believed that any cash was stolen.

The store manager approached the men and was assaulted but he was not seriously injured.

Six offenders wearing balaclavas escaped from the scene and got into a dark-coloured 4x4 vehicle. The digger was stolen earlier in the morning from the Manston golf course at Thanet.

Anyone who saw the lorry with a digger on the back being driven from Manston towards Herne Bay or men driving away from Herne Bay in the 4x4 at about 4.45am is asked to contact Det Sgt Jeff Vincett on 01227 868357 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Calls to Crimestoppers are free and you do not have to give your name.

The ram-raid follows similar incidents in Wainscott, Maidstone, Larkfield, Swanley and Woodchurch, near Ashford, in the last two months.