Officers are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed an ATM raid to come forward.

Police say the theft was carried out by a group of men in a white van, in the early hours of September 15.

The raid took place at the Co-op store in North Road, Kirkby Stephen.

Cumbria Police says an explosion was caused, before the thieves then forced their way into the store and stole the contents of the damaged machine.

Officers believe heavier than normal traffic is expected to have been passing through the town at the time of the theft, with sections of the A66 undergoing closures at certain points.

According to officers, the thieves used a technique that involved pumping gas into the front of the ATM, before igniting it and causing an explosion.

Anyone who witnesses anyone acting suspiciously around an ATM is asked to contact police.

The force is also urging any witnesses to the Co-op ATM raid to get in touch via 101.

If anyone sees offenders attempting to tamper with an ATM, they are asked to stay away and dial 999.

Shopkeepers and business staff are asked to look out for any money that is scorched or damaged, that could indicate it was stolen.

Detective sergeant, Matthew Belshaw, said: “We believe there will have been lots of traffic passing through Kirkby Stephen at the time of this theft, that would not normally do so because of the closure.

“We would ask anybody who believes they may have seen anything unusual to contact us.

“People who have a dash cam fitted and may have been recording at the time they passed through could also help us. We would appeal to anyone in this position to check their footage.

“The theft involved a white van. You may even have witnessed the explosion without really grasping what it was at the time.

“Even the smallest piece of information could be crucial.”