DETECTIVES are hunting for raiders who tried to steal a cashpoint machine from the forecourt of a service station early today.

The offenders are believed to have used a 4x4 Land Rover-style vehicle to ram the machine at the Jet service station in London Road, Sittingbourne.

Sgt Evan Jones, of Swale Police, said they then tried but failed to drag the machine out of its housing during the raid at about 2am. They are thought to have used a chain or tow rope attached to the vehicle.

The men, who were seen by a passing motorist, then fled in the vehicle. It is not known if they got any money from the machine which is next to the station’s Park & Shop 24-hour convenience store.

The area around the machine, which was badly damaged in the attack, was cordoned off by police.