A DIGGER has destroyed the wall of a supermarket in what is thought to be a failed raid on a cash machine.
The digger crashed into the wall of a co-op store in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in the early hours of this morning.
It appears as if the raid was unsuccessful but images of the destroyed store wall have appeared on social media.
The incident is thought to have taken place between 2.45am and 3.15am.
Pictures show a orange digger next to the wall of the Co-operative, with hundreds of bricks on the floor beside it.
An ATM machine next to the digger appears undamaged.
Scots were quick to take to social media to discuss the incident.
Allan Brown wrote: “Suspected Smash and Grab at Kirkcaldy Co-op this morning. Looks like they were after the ATM.”
Shannon O’Brien said: “A digger has crashed into the coop beaide vic at 3am this morning, trying to scoop out and steal the ATM machine, theres a big hole in side of the building, police everywhere! What is wrong wrong people?”
Kevin Haskins joked: “Maybe they saw coop’s prices and thought no!”
George Mooney quipped: “If they were aiming for the cash machine they were pretty far off”.
Hugh Marnoch said: “Should have gone to specsavers. Wrong type of vehicle for that but no-one said criminals had to have brains.”
The dumper truck used is described as a as a six tonne Benford Swivel Dumper.
It collided with the building at 2.40am this morning (MON)and was later reported stolen from business premises in Hayfield Industrial Estate.
Detective Inspector Graeme Dursley of Kirkcaldy CID said: “The premises will remain closed while we conduct our investigations at the scene and a full assessment of the damage to the building will need to be carried out.
“I’d urge anyone who may have been in the area of Hayfield Industrial Estate or Lauder Road in the early hours of the morning to get in touch.
“If you saw any suspicious behaviour or may have witnessed the truck travelling between these two locations, then please come forward.”
Detective Constable Ryan Balsillie of Kirkcaldy CID said:”Enquiries are still ongoing and we are appealing for witnesses in relation to either the theft of the truck, anyone who may seen the person driving that truck or subsequently colliding with building thereafter.
“At this moment we are unsure if anything has been taken so at the moment Police Scotland are treating it as a house break-in with intent until we can establish if anything has been taken from within the premises.”
“From the position of the cash machine in relation to the point of contact on the building, there’s sufficient distance to suggest that the cash machine wasn’t the target.
“It was more the building itself, hence why we’re treating it as an attempted house breaking as opposed to anything else.
“Enquiries and investigations are are on-going at the moment. I know that there are a number of cameras in the area and on the building itself and that capture will be ongoing but we are appealing for witnesses.”
A spokesperson for the Co-op said: “There was an attempted theft at our Lauder road store in Kirkcaldy in the early hours of this morning.
“Extensive damage was caused to the store, and it is too early to say when it will re-open.
“CCTV coverage has been shared with police, who are investigating, and we would appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
“We apologise to the community for the inconvenience caused during the store’s temporary closure and would encourage customers to use our nearby store on Bennochy Road.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 or make an anonymous report to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
