THIS dramatic footage captures the moment masked raiders smashed their way into a York cash point.

Sparks are flying as a group of people surround the Co-op ATM, in Tang Hall Lane, in the early hours of this morning.

A witness said he heard a big bang and saw smoke everywhere.

He said: "I noticed a group of people acting suspiciously about 20 minutes before the event.

"They seemed to be putting tools into the back of the van.

"Suddenly there was a big bang, followed by sparks flying everywhere.

"There was a lot of smoke and I could see people looking out of their windows at what was going on.

"They seemed to be using some sort of axe grinder to break into the cash machine.

"They were all dressed in balaclavas and tracksuits, it was like something from the TV show Crimewatch."

York Press:

Another eyewitness from Lang Avenue said that the group smashed the cash machine and then cut their way through nearby shutters leaving a hole.

He said: "It woke me up it was so loud.

"My neighbour slept through the whole thing, I am not sure how.

"They cut their way through and then sped down the street to turn around and headed off down Tang Hall Lane."

York Press:

Another resident said it sounded 'like a bomb had gone off.' 

Police said they were quickly on the scene but offenders left in a dark Audi towards Heworth and out of town. 

APPEAL: we are appealing for witnesses after an ATM theft took place at approx 03:30hrs from the @coopuk on Tang Hall Lane, York.

Although we were quickly on scene the offenders left in a dark Audi towards Hepworth & out of town.

Pls☎️101 if you have any info to assist enqs.

— PC 621 NYP (@PC_621) December 6, 2018 ">http://

In a statement, the force said: "We were called to the Co-op shop on Tang Hall Lane at around 3.30am today.

"Enquiries and forensic tests are currently taking place inside the shop."

Officers are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area, or who has any other information that could help the investigation, to call 101 quoting reference number NYP-06122018-0039.

A Spokesperson for the Co-op, said: “There was an incident at our Tang Hall Lane Co-op store at around 3am in the early hours of this morning 
"There was an attack on the community’s ATM cash machine. 
"Police are investigating, and we appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
"Nothing was stolen from the store
 The store is expected to re-open within the to serve the community.”

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