Police are appealing for witnesses after thieves stole a cashpoint from the wall of the Summit service station in Thame Road, Stadhampton, early today.

At about 1.40am three men in balaclavas used a yellow JCB, registration N89 YKO, to remove the cashpoint.

The JCB was left at the scene and has since been recovered by police. It is thought that two stolen vehicles, an L200 4x4 pick-up truck and a Ford Transit flat-bed lorry with orange lights on the roof, were also used in the raid.

The pick-up truck had been stolen from Great Rollright and the Transit taken from Wallingford. Both vehicles were later recovered burnt out in Tetsworth.

Det Sgt Darren Cartwright said: “I am appealing for the public to help us with our inquiries and urge anyone with any information to contact me.

“It is likely that the JCB was stolen and I am trying to trace where it has come from, so would ask farmers and builders to check they have their machinery and report any thefts to us immediately.

“The ATM could have been dumped in a field or hedgerow and so I ask residents and walkers to be vigilant and contact the police if they see anything suspicious or unusual.

“I also appeal to anyone who might have seen the other two vehicles being driven prior to the raid, or before they had been burnt, to get in touch.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Det Sgt Cartwright, of Didcot CID, on 0845 8 505 505. If you do not wish to speak to police or give your name, contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.