Police chiefs have admitted there is an ongoing trend of cashpoint raids in Cumbria - as a manhunt continues for the latest crooks.

Senior officers said efforts were underway to gather intelligence on organised criminals to stop further crimes happening.

They also flagged up the threat the county faces from travelling gangs from other counties, with Cumbria bordering five other forces.

The issue was discussed at a meeting of county crimefighting's top brass, as investigations continued into the latest incident.

Ram raiders used a tractor to smash through the wall of a supermarket in Cockermouth yesterday.

They struck at Aldi on Low Road at 3.05am - but failed in their bid to steal a cash machine.

They used the vehicle to knock through the wall by the store entrance where an internal cash machine stands.

The police arrived minutes later by which time the tractor had been abandoned in the car park.


Peter McCall, police and crime commissioner for Cumbria These type of crimes fell under the spotlight at a public accountability conference held by county crime commissioner, Peter McCall.

He said of ATM raids: "It seems to be the crime of the moment."

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Webster said: "They are worrying offences."

While Chief Constable Jerry Graham - Cumbria's most senior officer - said: "There are various crime trends.
Chief Constable Jerry Graham

"This does seem to be a trend at the moment.

"Criminals will always find new ways to exploit where there are gaps.

"Through intelligence we are trying to prevent that."

Mr Webster said crimes such as this could cross county lines - and involved a "degree of organisation".

He stressed some of the crimes to hit Cumbria had been attempts rather than successes.

Mr McCall said businesses had to play their part in preventing raids.

He added: "If you have a bit of kit with a lot of money in it you do have a responsibility to secure it."

The meeting was held at Cumbria's police headquarters at Carleton Hall, near Penrith.

The latest on the police investigation

Police have confirmed the tractor used in the Cockermouth ram raid was stolen from a farm near the town.
Ram raid: Aldi, on Low Road, Cockermouth

A force spokesman said: "There are no arrests at this stage. We are continuing with investigations."

Contractors are repairing the damaged wall. The store is open as usual.

Store manager Paul White said: "They put the tractor through the wall.

"They tried to nick the cash machine but couldn't get it out, it's too heavy and was bolted to the floor.

"They've left a big hole in the wall and the tractor is outside.

"The police must have scared them. They arrived about 10 minutes after they started.

"It's disappointing but we're open for business as usual."

Other cashpoint raids in recent months

There was a ram raid at the Whitehaven Aldi four weeks ago, when criminals tried - and failed - to steal a cash machine.

In October a free-standing cash machine was taken from just inside the doorway of the Co-operative, on King Street in Aspatria.

While in September, thieves broke into a Cockermouth restaurant and stole the ATM machine.

They took a window out of The Brewer's Fayre restaurant, next to the Premier Inn, at Oakhurst, and stole the free standing cash dispenser.

It was empty.

A police spokesman said of the latest crime: "This is the fourth ATM in west Cumbria to be targeted since September.

"While we are not currently linking these incidents, we are following all lines of enquiry.

"Police are appealing for any witnesses that may have seen any suspicious activity or vehicles in the area."

Call officers on 101.