THIEVES struck at a west Oxfordshire supermarket for the second time this year in a failed bid to steal cash from an ATM.

The Co-op Food store in Enstone Road, Charlbury, was raided by thieves targeting its cash machine at about 2.35am on Friday.

Police said that the would-be thief gained entry to the store by using an angle grinder tool before trying to steal the contents of the cash machine inside but nothing was taken.

One man - a 58-year-old from Tiverton, Devon, has since been arrested on suspicion of burglary and released under investigation.

When approached by the Oxford Mail, Thames Valley Police said the incident was not being linked to other raids on supermarkets across Oxfordshire in recent months.

Police are now appealing for witnesses.

Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Steven Bates, of the Investigation Hub at Witney Police station, said: “We are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward and help us with our enquiries.

“Anyone who saw or heard anything is encouraged to get in touch with police.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote 43180334462.

The same store was targeted by thieves in January when ram raiders failed to get access to the cash machine. In that raid the front door was smashed open.

Two stolen vehicles – a white Renault van and a silver Land Rover – used by the raiders were recovered nearby.

A number of supermarkets were later targeted across Oxfordshire which led police to launch a crackdown on the spate of cash point raids.