Police are appealing for witnesses after a gang used gas in an attempt to blow up the cash machine at Timperley Post Office, leaving the inside looking as if “a bomb has gone off”.
The Stockport Road post office was targeted shortly before 2.20am this morning.
Police believe that gas was used to try and break open the cash machine, causing an explosion and damage to the exterior. Initially, they had thought that two cars had been used in an attempted ram-raid.
Below: The scene outside Timperley Post Office this morning
And commenting on our Facebook page, staff member Jayne White claimed the damage inside was much worse.
She wrote: “Will be shut for a while, as a member of staff and having been inside I can tell you that it looks a bomb has gone off inside. Ceiling down, windows cracked and walls have been dislodged.”
Having been unsuccessful in their attempts to get into the cash machine, the offenders fled and a witness saw a long, silver car driving off at speed along Stockport Road, in the direction of Altrincham Road.
Below: The cash machine that the offenders attempted to blow up
Police enquiries are ongoing to trace the car.
Detective Sergeant Lee Attenborough, of Trafford division, said: “Fortunately nobody was hurt, but the thieves were determined to break into the cash machine using any means they could.
“I am appealing to anybody who saw a silver car driving at speed in the area around the time of the incident to contact police.”
Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 7530 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
The popular Post Office remains closed while police investigate, with forensic experts spotted at the scene this morning.
Below: Police cars outside Timperley Post Office this morning
