Police are investigating a possible link with the dramatic Roydon ram raid after another cash machine theft this weekend.

Thieves got away with a “five figure” sum of money after using a JCB digger to remove an ATM from Martins newsagents in Harlow, shortly before 1.45am on Saturday (September 26).

The cash machine was loaded onto a waiting van and left the scene with a red car, believed to be an Audi.

“Substantial damage” was caused to the shop’s wall, and a nearby car’s window was smashed.

Essex Police are now looking into a possible link with a similar raid in Roydon on September 16.

Up to four men, some possibly holding knives, completely destroyed the shopfront of McColl’s in High Street after they repeatedly smashed a forklift truck into the window.

They got away empty handed after the shop’s ATM, which had been placed on a waiting pick-up truck, was found intact after a tip-off from a member of the public.

Speaking after the Harlow raid, detective inspector Jim Adams said: “Police were quickly on the scene and carried out an extensive area search, assisted by a police helicopter.

“Up to eight suspects are believed to have been involved in this theft and we are now seeking information about the movements of the vehicles before and after the incident.

“We are especially keen to hear from anyone who saw the JCB, which is not the usual sort of vehicle to be seen on public roads late at night.

“There was a previous incident involving the theft of a cash machine at a newsagent in Roydon on September 16, in which the machine and its contents were later recovered, and we are looking into whether these two incidents may be linked.”

Anyone with information should contact officers at Harlow CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.