Manchester Thieves Dig 100ft Hole To Nick Cashpoint

Thieves have spent up to six months digging a 100ft tunnel to steal money from cash point in Manchester

A gang of robbers tunnelled 100ft to snatch a cash point four years after their first attempt was foiled.

Officers believe the thieves responsible could have spent up to SIX months digging the passageway.

Using shovels, a wheelbarrow and scaffolding poles, the hole-in-the-wall gang dug underground into the building which houses the ATM.

Once underneath, the offenders used machinery to cut through more than 15inches of concrete to steal money from the cash point.

Apparently because of extra cash withdrawals over the New Year break, the machine only held £6,000 instead of £20,000.

Police, who were called to the Blockbuster store in Levenshulme in Manchester, on January 4, then found the tunnel which stretched back to nearby wasteland, along with tools, electric lighting, bags of soil and a ventilation system.

The gang’s first tunnel was uncovered on August 23, 2007 by builders working at the Fallowfield retail park.

Detective Sergeant Ian Shore from Longsight CID said: "In all my years of service, I have never seen anything quite as elaborate as this. 

"These people had obviously spent a long time plotting this crime and I doubt they would have been able to keep their plans secret for all that time, without telling others about their scheme. They must also have spent a lot of time in the area over the past few months, which people may have noticed.

"The financial detriment to the victim could have been a lot worse, and the offenders did not get away with as much money as I believe they may have originally hoped. The machine had limited funds available.

"I would ask that anyone who may have noticed anything unusual around this Blockbuster store, or who may have seen or heard anything they think might help us with "our investigation, to get in touch."