Thieves smash up Corsham Co-op in ram raid (From This Is Wiltshire)

Police are investigating after two men ram raided a Co-op store in Corsham  Thursday (Jan 3) night by driving a van into it.

A blue-coloured VW Transporter stolen from the Chippenham area on Christmas Eve was reversed into the front of the store in Macie Drive, on the Katherine Park estate, at around 11.20pm, causing considerable structural damage.

Two men are believed to have tried to steal a free-standing cash machine, but left empty-handed. The van was later abandoned in front of bollards on the nearby Freestone Way.

Police were alerted by residents who heard the van smash into the store.

Maureen Angrove, of Macie Drive, said: “Around 11.20pm I heard an almighty bang. I looked out of my son’s bedroom window and saw the van. This tall bloke in a hood jumped out of the van and tried to get in, before the van screeched off again.

“I called the police, and within a minute of putting the phone down they were here. You don’t expect something like this on your doorstep.”

Kevin Turnbull, of nearby Hatton Way, also heard the noise of the raid. He said: “I was sat in my front room when I heard them ram into the shop three or four times. They must have been on a destructive binge.”

A fire crew from Corsham worked for several hours into the night to make the shop safe, along with a unit from Swindon. The shop reopened on Saturday but staff and customers are having to use the back door.

Wiltshire Police, who described the raiders as amateurish, are appealing for anyone who saw a car speeding away from the scene to contact them.

Det Sgt Simon Pope, of Melksham CID, said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who might have seen a white car being driven suspiciously in the Katherine Park area late on Thursday night. It was seen driving off at speed after the attempted burglary.

“We are looking for two men who were wearing dark clothing and hooded tops.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Melksham CID on 101.