This is the moment brazen thieves prepare to reverse a van into a petrol station to steal a cash machine.

Raiders were captured on CCTV repeatedly ramming the vehicle into the free-standing ATM in Whitstable.

Detectives have now revealed several thousand pounds were stolen and are appealing for people to look out for a dumped cash machine.

They believe a white Ford Iveco Daily van, possibly with a tailgate, was used in the raid in the early hours of Friday.

Officers think there were at least two thieves and there might have been a second vehicle travelling in convoy with the van.

The raid happened between 3am and 3.30am at the Murco filling station, in Borstal Hill.

Thieves stole a cash machine in a ram raid at the Murco service station in Borstal Hill, Whitstable

Garage owner Gnana Selvajeevan, 38, said: "The raiders were first caught on our CCTV cameras at about 12.45am knocking out our security lights.

"They then returned shortly after 3am and reversed their van repeatedly into the cash machine before loading it up and taking it away.

"The whole thing only lasted five minutes. But fortunately it was a free standing machine so the building itself wasn't damaged.

"They obviously didn't care about the noise they were making even though people live close by.

"But having to shut the garage while the police do their job is obviously costing me money, especially on a Friday when we are usually very busy in the mornings."

Garage owner Gnana Selvajeevan outside the Murco filling station in Borstal Hill, Whitstable.

DI Kevin Downard, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "We believe the cashpoint machine, which contained several thousands pounds worth of cash, will probably be dumped once it has been emptied, and I am appealing to members of the public to contact us immediately if they see it.

"It is more than likely that it will be dumped in a rural location, so we are specifically asking dog walkers, riders and people in the countryside to keep a lookout for the machine.

"I am also keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the van in the area on Thursday night and Friday morning or may know where it is now.

The same model as the free-standing cash machine stolen from the Murco filling station in Whitstable

"It may be that the van was a rental so I would ask any hire companies to get in touch if they have any concerns about any vehicles they have hired out."

Mr Downard added he was keeping an open mind about whether or not the ram raid was linked to a spate of cash machine thefts and attempted thefts in Kent in November 2011.

Witnesses or anyone with any information is urged to phone police on 01622 652494 or Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800555111, quoting reference number KP-20120309-0092.