An officer was injured after a getaway vehicle collided with three police cars following an attempted cash machine raid at a petrol station.

A gang of three men are believed to have attached chains to the free-standing cash machine at the Total filling station in Halifax Road, Shelf, and attempted to tow it away, before being disturbed by police.

The raiders escaped from the scene, but collided with three police cars in the process, leaving one officer with minor injuries.

A stolen silver-coloured Land Rover Discovery and a white Ford Transit van were used in the attempted raid, police said.

Officers received a call about the incident just before 11.30pm on Tuesday.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman: “Officers attended the scene and the men made off in the Land Rover and another silver vehicle which collided with three police cars. One officer received minor injuries during the incident.”

Officers were yesterday studying CCTV in a bid to trace those responsible. They have also appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

A police spokesman said the Ford Transit was left behind at the scene. The Land Rover was later found abandoned by officers in Giles Hill Road, Shelf.

Residents in the area were left shocked by the incident.

One resident, who lives nearby, said: “We haven’t been here for long – obviously this is quite bad. They are on a main road so they probably think they can get straight down on to the M62. It’s worrying.”

Officers want to speak to anyone who may have seen the vehicles prior to the incident, either being driven individually or together. Contact Calderdale CID on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.