THE investigation into an audacious ATM theft in York and others in the region is now being run with South Yorkshire Police.

Thieves have struck more than ten times in five months, with two new thefts reported in the last week.

North Yorkshire Police are working with the South Yorkshire and Humberside forces, after stolen JCBs and 4x4s were used to remove cash machines from buildings across Yorkshire, including at the CoOp store in Haxby in January. Detectives believe the thefts may be the work of one gang.

On May 7, police were called to Primrose Valley Garage in Primrose Valley just before 3am, after men in a red Nissan X-Trail smashed the glass door of the garage and used the vehicle to drag the ATM into the forecourt.

York Press:

The aftermath of January's raid in Haxby 

They then lifted the ATM into the boot of the X-Trail and drove off towards Hunmanby village. The vehicle had been stolen from a house in Staxton and was found abandoned later that morning by Humberside Police.

North Yorkshire Police said the man who entered the garage had his face covered with a balaclava and wore grey jogging bottoms and a black top, while the driver of the stolen X-Trail appeared to have a shaven or bald head.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “Extensive enquiries are ongoing to locate the men involved in this incident with support from police in Humberside and South Yorkshire. Even the smallest level of detail could prove vital to investigating officers, so please do not hesitate to get in touch.”

Another ATM was taken at a shop in South Yorkshire early on May 8 and similar thefts have been reported in Nottinghamshire. Detective Chief Inspector Chris Singleton, of South Yorkshire Police, said police had an open mind as to whether all the raids were linked.

He said: “I would urge any agricultural, farm workers or anyone who works with heavy machinery which could be used in this type of theft to make sure they are security conscious and report any suspicious behaviour to police immediately.”

Three men, aged 27, 26 and 25, from the Doncaster area were arrested in March in connection with a number of similar offences across the region. They are currently on police bail.