WOULD-BE thieves using a stolen JCB failed in their attempt to wrench three cashpoint machines from outside a supermarket.

Swale Police are now liaising with the special Task Force set up to tackle a series of dramatic cash point ram-raids across the county to investigate a possible link with the latest incident which happened at Asda in Mill Way, Sittingbourne.

A £10,000 reward is on offer for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offenders.

The raid happened around 3.50am on Wednesday. When police arrived they found the JCB had been dumped at the scene and a blue flatbed lorry, which had also been stolen, abandoned in nearby Cooks Lane.

Both vehicles had been stolen from the Eurolink trading estate.

Criminals have used stolen heavy plant to steal cashpoint machines from banks and building societies in Maistone, Hemsptead Valley Shopping Centre, Walderslade, Northfleet, Borough Green and the most outrageous attack on three premises in Gillingham High Street.

Det Insp Dave Barnett, of Swale Police, said: "At this stage it appears to have been a failed theft and no money has been stolen, but some damage has been caused.

“Officers from Swale are working with the Task Force set up earlier this year to investigate the series of similar incidents across Kent, although it is too early to say if this attempted theft is linked to other similar incidents.”

Mr Barnett is anxious to hear from anyone who may seen the stolen JCB or flatbed lorry in transit, or who may have witnessed the attack on ASDA.

A spokeswoman for Asda said that despite the external damage to the building, the company was pleased that no money had been taken.

“We will be helping police with their investigations, but it is business as usual,” she said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Swale Police on 01795 584086, the ram raid hotline on 01622 654321 or Kent CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.