POLICE are appealing for information following the attempted theft of cash machines in two separate incidents in Kent which may be linked.

In the first incident, a gang used a silver BMW car and what is believed to be a Ford Fiesta to block Nightingale Way, Swanley, at both ends between 10.30pm and 10.45pm on Thursday.

A Mitsubishi Shogun was then reversed into the wall-mounted cash machine at Barclays Bank.

The gang drove away empty-handed down a pedestrianised area after being disturbed by residents shouting from windows.

The brickwork around the cash machine has been damaged and two plastic bollards were flattened in the pedestrianised walkway as the Shogun drove off.

A short while later, thieves attempted to steal a cash machine in Bexley High Street.

A Shogun was later found abandoned in Stable Way, Bexley, by the Metropolitan Police.

Kent Police is working with the Metropolitan Police to establish whether there are any links between the two attempted thefts.

Officers will also liaise with the task force set up earlier this year to investigate cash machine thefts across the county.

Det Insp Kris Hill, who is leading the inquiry in the North Kent area, is appealing for information from the public.

He said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen these three vehicles leaving Swanley and could have information about their direction of travel.

“We would also appeal for anyone who disturbed the gang or who was in the area at the time and who saw any of the vehicles or their drivers to contact the police. The information they have could be vital to the investigation.”

Anyone with any information is urged to contact North Kent Police on 01474 565167 quoting reference 16882. Alternatively, people can also contact the Kent Police cash machine theft hotline number in confidence on 01622 654321 or Kent CrimeStoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555111.Kent Police has offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of criminals responsible for high value cash machine thefts.