A cash machine has been stolen from a petrol garage in the latest in a series of raids on rural stores, which has also forced a nearby school to close.

Thieves are understood to have taken the ATM from the BP Garage in Rye Road, Hawkhurst, in the early hours of this morning.

The store remains open for business, however officers have closed the neighbouring Water Lane, which has forced the closure of the independent Saint Ronan's School.

A statement on the school website said: "Following the theft of an ATM from Hawkhurst last night, police have closed Water Lane and are not allowing any traffic in or out this morning.

"Parts of the ATM are strewn up and down the lane. Consequently we can’t open the school at this point.

"Updates will be provided as soon as we know more."

It comes less than a month after thieves smashed through the wall with a digger to steal a cash machine from the Asda store in Tunbridge Wells.

It also emerged earlier this year that only three people have been charged for ram raiding cash machines in the county over the last five years, despite 33 incidents over that period of time.

Kent Police has been contacted for further details.

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