A POLICE patrol disturbed a gang as they stole two cash machines from a leisure complex in Kent.

Officers arrived at the Eureka centre at Ashford, close to junction 9 of the M20, as the ram-raiders were loading the second machine into the back of an open back 4x4 type vehicle at about 2.45am on Thursday.

The gang drove off into open countryside but as they escaped one of the cash machines fell from the vehicle. The machine was found in Sandyhurst Lane with its cash contents intact.

Police later found a second cash machine with the contents missing along with a burned out 4x4 open back vehicle in Babylon Lane in Hawkenbury. Both the machine and the vehicle were being forensically examined.

The gang used a mechanical digger stolen from the nearby Eureka Business Park to remove the cash machines which were housed in a small brick building close to the M20 nightclub entrance.

That building was badly damaged during the raid and was cordoned off while engineers assess structural damage.

Police are examining CCTV from the leisure complex area.

Det Insp Rachel Ireland said: "It is very likely that the people behind this theft will have been acting suspiciously around the cash machines in the days or weeks leading up to this theft.

"We would ask that if anyone recalls anyone acting oddly or who saw anything untoward around this area to come forward and tell us what you know.

"The leisure complex can be a very busy area so it is very likely someone saw something in the time before the raid."

A Kent Police spokesman said: "We continue to talk to building firms about ways in which they can ensure plant machinery is secured. Officers urge the users of diggers and other large machinery to make sure they are secure to help reduce the opportunity for thieves to use them in an attempt to steal cash machines."

DI Ireland stressed: "The public can also help the police by calling 999 if they see the unusual movement of diggers and similar plant machinery at night or people acting suspiciously near banks and shops with cash machines."

Anyone with information about the cash machine thefts can contact police at Ashford on 01233 896282. People can also contact Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Calls are free and you do not have to give personal details.