Ram raiders failed in a night-time bid to snatch a safe from a cash and carry in Gillingham.

The thieves smashed a JCB-type digger into Batleys Cash and Carry at about 5.15am on Saturday, and tried to remove the safe, but were thwarted and left it at the scene.

Police were alerted to the raid by firefighters, who had been sent to the industrial unit in Courteney Road after an automatic fire alarm went off.

When crews arrived they discovered a large hole in the wall and the digger and flat-back lorry abandoned at the scene.

The safe was removed but abandoned unopened.

The hole left in the wall is thought to be about 10ft by 12ft square.

Firefighters called Medway police, who cordoned off the area to carry out further investigations.

No arrests have been made.

Kent police spokesman Jane Walker said: “We were alerted to the raid at 5.18am and officers cordoned off the scene and are currently carrying out further investigations.”