A GANG used a mechanical digger to dislodge a cash machine from the wall of a bank.

The NatWest bank in The Parade, Staplehurst, near Maidstone, was targeted by the ram-raiders at around 2.30am on Wednesday.

Residents were woken by the sound of the digger’s mechanical arm battering the side of the bank.

After releasing the cash machine from the bank wall the thieves loaded it onto a silver coloured 4x4 to escape from the scene.

The NatWest was badly damaged and the bank and car park immediately outside it was cordoned off by police. It is not known how much cash was taken.

The digger had been stolen from a nearby building site. The bank and the neighbouring Threshers off licence and Corals bookmaker were all closed this morning.

Police believe a number of offenders were involved in the raid but have not yet released any descriptions.

A Kent Police spokeswoman said: "We continue to follow a number of lines of inquiry into cash machine thefts across the county and while we will look at any similarities between the thefts we cannot say if any are linked at this stage.

"As well as ongoing investigations, we continue to work closely with financial organisations to establish ways to combat these thefts."

Anyone with information about the Staplehurst raid is asked to call police in Mid Kent on 01622 604180, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.