THIEVES botched two attempts to steal a cash machine in an overnight supermarket raid with the gang eventually making off with a bottle of Lambrini instead. 

The group smashed their way into the Co-op store in Woodcote on Sunday morning using axes and sledgehammers in the latest in a series of smash and grab raids targeting ATM machines in Oxfordshire.

The gang-of-four used a stolen Land Rover in two separate attempts to remove the ATM, however, the gang were thwarted when the 4x4 became impaled on bollards at the shop front.

The bottle of Lambrini was the only item taken as the thieves fled the scene.

The incident comes off the back of several other cash machine raids in the county in which a stolen Land Rover has been used, including those at Oxford's new Aldi in Horspath Driftway and Co-op stores in Grove and Banbury.

Police have not yet confirmed if they are linking this latest incident to any of the other thefts, however.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to the raid which between the hours of 2.30am and 2.45am on Sunday.

The silver Land Rover Discovery was seen parked next to the window of the shop in Bridle Path, along with a dark-coloured car, possibly a blue BMW.

Four people got out of the vehicles and smashed the window of the store and attempted to remove the cash machine from the shop using the Land Rover.

However, after attempts proved unsuccessful and the would-be thieves left the scene.

Then, at around 4.10am, the gang returned and parked the Discovery in the same place and made a second attempt to remove the ATM.

The Discovery was reversed into the store before becoming impaled on bollards and getting stuck.

The offenders then fled the scene in the saloon car, leaving the cash machine and Discovery behind.

The offenders are described as four men, all dressed in dark clothing with balaclavas. One offender was wearing a baseball cap.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Dan Tibble, of the Investigation Hub based at Abingdon police station, said: “The offenders made more than one attempt to steal the cash machine, and their efforts appear to have been thwarted by one of the vehicles becoming stuck.

“They all left the scene in what appeared to be a BMW 5 Series or similar.

“I am appealing to anyone who believes that they may have witnessed the incident to call police.

“I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have dash-cam footage of the incident to make contact with officers.”

Anyone with information should contact 101, quoting reference number 43180283275.

Alternatively, you can visit https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.