Police appeal after attempted burglary at Ancaster Coop

This is the fourth Coop store to be targeted in the county in recent weeks, after burglaries at Scotter, Horncastle and Ruskington.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: "We were called to reports of two men targeting the ATM at around 4.15am this morning (March 23). They were reported to be wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, and left the scene in a dark-coloured car, possibly an Audi or a BMW, heading north in the direction of the A17.

"They gained entry via the front door of the store.

"The break in was not successful and nothing was stolen."

During the incident, the dark-coloured vehicle is reported to have collided with another vehicle belonging to a member of the public, leaving it with minor damage.

A white Ford Transit van was recovered at the scene and has been confirmed as being stolen from Claypole.

The spokesman added: "We will remain on scene and in the local area while we carry out our enquiries in both the Claypole and Ancaster areas."

If you saw or heard anything, or have dashcam footage of the surrounding area around the time of the incident, get in touch. Your information could prove vital to the investigation, say police.

Call 101 or email [email protected] quoting Incident 34 of March 23. Or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or report online.

A spokesperson for Co-op, said: “Following the incident in the early hours, our Ancaster store has reopened today (Wednesday) and it is fully operational and ready to serve our customers and the community."

Ermine Street resident Katy Williams lives close to the store. She said: "We couldn't hear anything this time as it was in the middle of the night - until we heard the sirens. I was still up the last time the shop was raided about a year ago as it was around midnight and I saw it all."