A gang raced from the scene of a ram raid yesterday morning dragging a cash machine behind their stolen getaway vehicle.

The thieves smashed their way into the Co-op in Station Road, Oxenhope, shortly before 5am by reversing the stolen black Toyota RAV 4 through the shopfront.

They tied a chain around the cash machine to drag it from its mounting but were forced to abandon it when the chain snapped as the machine became entangled among parked cars as the thieves drove along Station Road towards Denholme Road.

Detective Inspector Peter Craig, of Keighley CID, said the Toyota was abandoned further up the street when the suspects got into a second large, dark vehicle.

Det Insp Craig said: "The RAV 4 was stolen in a burglary on Tuesday night from a time after 10.30pm from an address in Swan Avenue, Eldwick, before it was used in the ram raid at about 4.48am.

"The offenders abandoned the cash machine and no cash was stolen, although there was extensive damage to the shop front.

"I think what they intended to do was drag the cash machine up the street to a waiting vehicle, which they would then get away in, and open the cash machine up later.

"We don't know how many people were involved at the moment."

He said the registration number of the stolen Toyota was CF04 HYP and appealed for information about its whereabouts between the time it was stolen and the raid.

Det Insp Craig said: "We would also like to appeal for anyone living in the area that may have seen anyone acting suspiciously prior to the offence or who may have actually seen the offence, to come forward."

Emergency repairs were carried out at the shop yesterday before it was able to re-open.

A Co-operative spokesman said: "There is damage to a door frame, shutters and some fixtures and fittings. Our sincere apologies to our customers for any inconvenience this may cause."

Anyone who has any information on either the burglary or the ram raid should contact Keighley CID on (01535) 617085.

e-mail: james.rush@bradford.newsquest.co.uk