Yesterday's raid at the Co-Op in Newington High Street

Three men have been arrested as police investigate a series of ram raids across Kent.

The Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are looking into the spate of cash point machine thefts and attempted thefts.

It comes after three ram raids in the last week.

On November 16 thieves used a JCB digger, stolen from a building site, to rip a cash machine from the wall of Waitrose in St Bernard Paget Avenue, Ashford at around 2.40am.

The stolen ATM was found empty later that day after police were called to a vehicle fire off Pluckley Road between Hothfield and Pluckley.

On the following Saturday, November 19, thieves tried to swipe a cash machine from the Natwest Bank in High Street, Snodland at around 3.40am. Police disturbed the raiders - with a JCB digger still holding the machine found abandoned near to the bank.

Police want to know more about two vehicles believed to be involved – a dark transit-style flatbed lorry and a metallic-coloured Mercedes car.

Then yesterday, thieves stole a cash machine from the Co-op store in Newington High Street, Sittingbourne at around 1.25am.

The cash machine was later found abandoned in a field close to the A2.

Police believe a tree was cut down to block the main access route.

Two vehicles are believed to have been involved – a white Diahatsu Fourtrak and a white Hylux van - which have both been recovered.

Three men have now been arrested by police in connection with the incidents and are in custody.

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge, head of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "Each one of these incidents includes highly unusual and individual circumstances. However, we do always keep an open mind and will be exploring any apparent linking factors."

Anyone with information should call the investigation team at the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate on 01622 652494 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.