A parish council chairman has said "serious questions need to be raised" about the security of cash machines in rural areas, after would-be thieves ripped an ATM from a shop wall near Maidstone.

On Thursday night, the Co-op in Buckingham Drive, Harrietsham, was broken into and attempts were made to steal money from the ATM.

Although unsuccessful, the machine was left hanging off the outside wall, windows were smashed and the shop was forced to close for the morning.

Harrietsham Parish Council chairman, Cllr Eddie Powell described the raid as the "biggest crime that has ever happened in Harrietsham" and said the villagers feel "very unsafe".

There were 14 cash machine thefts across Kent last year, including in Lenham, Detling Hill, Tunbridge Wells and Staplehurst.

Only last month thieves used a digger to break through the rear wall of Bearsted Post Office and steal a safe. The store was reopened six days later and no arrests have been made.

Cllr Powell, who is also a borough councillor for Shepway South, said: "What is the answer to keeping rural cash machines safe? Looking from a Harrietsham point of view, the cash machines seem to be low lying fruit of the criminal fraternity. For places like Harrietsham it's a real concern."

Asked about his reaction to finding out about the raid, Cllr Powell said: "I would like to have said it was disbelief but during conversations before we have said 'are we going to be next one?' That's a sad position to be in.

"We thought, 'everywhere has been done, maybe it's going to Harrietsham next?'"

He went on: "I don't know really what can or could be done. Serious questions need to be raised about the security of rural crime cash machines. Rural Areas do need cash machines as banks are closing down."

Of the 14 cash machine thefts in the county last year, seven occurred at Co-op stores.

The company, which aims to be "at the heart of local life" has spent £70 million in crime prevention over the last three years.

Their cash machines are fitted with several security measures that vary between each dispenser and every store is fitted with CCTV.

Nick Biddiss, a retired detective superintendent, said the deterrent measures in place are not enough to stop criminals from attacking stores if the cash machines are built into the building.

He said: "If it is just a brick wall you can easily smack into it. They need to be in concreted type bunkers that are almost impenetrable.

"Unless the industry take positive steps and are proactive they will continue to be attacked."

Mr Biddiss acknowledged that the distance of the stores from police stations make them more vulnerable but doesn't think increasing police numbers will help.

The retailer's cash machines are owned by Cardtronics which use a number of anti-theft systems to reduce the risk of attack. These measures vary between each machine but include glue or dye being released when the cash is accessed illegally, making the money useless.

Some machines are also able to identify if explosive are near and stops them from detonating, thereby foiling the attack.

Police have asked for anyone who saw Thursday night's attempted theft to come forward.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "We were called at 11.45pm on Thursday, January 16 to a disturbance at the Co-op in Southfields Way, where damage was caused to a cash machine.

"It is reported a person also broke into the store and tried to access the machine from inside.

"No money was stolen and the suspects are said to have left in a dark coloured Volkswagen Golf, which turned left onto the A20.

A spokesman for Co-op, said: “An incident occurred at around midnight at our Harrietsham store where there was an unsuccessful attack on the community’s ATM. We appeal to anyone who may have seen or heard anything to come forward to police, who are investigating."

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/9893/20. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555111, or use the online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

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