The ninth cash machine raid in six months was attempted with a 4x4 truck.

The attempted theft took place the Esso garage in Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, in the early hours on Thursday, February 28.

Officers were called at 3am after a blue four-wheel-drive truck attempted unsuccessfully to pull out the forecourt cash machine with a chain and hook, damaging the machine’s casing.

A bumper, believed to be from the 4x4, was also left at the scene, suggesting the thieves accidentally damaged their vehicle in the process of trying to haul the machine away.

This is the latest in a spate of recent ram raids across the county, with eight reported within six months.

The last such incident was on Sunday, February 24 when a JCB digger was used to rip out the ATM machine outside Co-op in Hopeville Avenue, Broadstairs.

Similar brutal methods have been used by criminals including when a telehandler smashed through the front of Sainsbury's in High Street, Headcorn in November.

However, despite ram-raids appearing to be the favoured approach, one incident involved would-be thieves using a blow torch.

A member of staff at the petrol station said that police were on the scene when he arrived at work at around 3:45am and that no workers were on site at the time of the attempted theft.

A member of staff at The Foresters Arms pub said: "It was the early hours of the morning so we had all packed up by then.

"We have had the police come in to look at our CCTV footage but there weren't any cars going by in it and we hadn't seen anything."

Kent Police is appealing for information, please call west Kent appeals line on 01622 604100, quoting 28-0124. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555 111.