A MANHUNT has been launched after a gang of thieves used a digger to rip a cashpoint from the wall of a Co-Op.

The ATM was hauled out from the shop in Kingston Bagpuize at about 2.10am this morning, leaving a pile of rubble and a scene that villagers have described as 'carnage.'

See all the latest pictures and video from the scene

The force has not confirmed if the latest ATM raid in Kingston Bagpuize is linked to other similar thefts in the county, but said they are 'keeping an open mind'.

Burglars dressed in black used a forklift truck to drag the machine free, and escaped with the ATM machine and a sum of cash.

The shop in Witney Road has been left with a gaping hole while the construction vehicle was left abandoned in the car park.

It is at least the 14th such raid in Oxfordshire in just over a year.

VIDEO: Destruction at Kingston Bagpuize Co-op following cash machine raid

Thames Valley Police revealed more details about the brazen raid in a statement released this afternoon. 

The force said the burglary was reported at 2.13am and officers arrived on scene by 2.21am.

Offenders were seen loading the cash machine onto the back of a black Mitsubishi pick-up truck.

The Mitsubishi was seen heading back towards the A420 with a chain dragging along the rear of the vehicle.

Police said there were 'up to five people' in the truck.

Oxford Mail:

Pics: Ben Blackledge

NPAS sent up a police helicopter to help with a search of the area, but no arrests have been made yet.

The burglars are all described as men, all dressed in black clothing.

Detective Sergeant Aidan Donohoe, based at Abingdon police station, said: "Our investigation is in the very early stages, but I would appeal to anybody that saw or heard anything at around 2.10am to contact police.

"At this stage, it is too early to say whether this incident is linked to any similar such offences across the region, but we are keeping an open mind.

"Forensic officers have examined the scene and we are making further enquiries in this investigation.

"I would urge anybody who has any information, to please get in touch."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has CCTV is asked to contact police on 101 quoting URN 86 (1/3) or make a report online.

Oxford Mail:

Residents awoke to the destruction today with one person telling the Oxford Mail, said: “The whole front has been destroyed. Massive damage.

“Cash point stolen. Absolutely looks like a bomb went off. Its horrendous.”

Read again: Eynsham post office becomes latest shop to be hit by ATM thieves

Twitter user @Nikniknature saw the scene as they drove to work describing the aftermath as 'really severe carnage'.

The store, which opened late last year, is currently closed for business.

Read also: 14 cash machine raids in Oxfordshire - where they happened

Oxford Mail:

The forklift attack comes just three weeks after a gang used a gas explosion to blow out an ATM at a Post Office in Eynsham.

Read again: New co-op store opens in Oxfordshire

In November, 250 officers swarmed on 10 locations in what they said at the time was a 'tightening of the net' on the ATM thieves.

Seven were arrested and a fire arm, drugs, cash and power tools were seized.

But all were released under investigation and remained so when the force last updated on their cases last month.

The last estimates suggested that more than £2million worth of damage have been caused since the raids first began more than a year ago.