Masked Gang Pull ATM Out The Wall

17 May 2018, 11:20 | Updated: 17 May 2018, 11:23

A balaclava-wearing trio targeted a city supermarket in an early-hours attempt to steal a cash machine.

The break-in happened at the Sainsbury's store in Edinburgh's Shandwick Place around 3.30am on Thursday.

Three men wearing balaclavas got out of a dark Audi Q5, forced entry to the shop and tore the ATM off the external wall, police said.

Members of the public alerted officers, who found the machine lying in the street when they got to the scene.

The suspects were reported to have made off towards the west end in the Audi, which is thought to have been the same car stolen from Kirkcaldy in Fife on Tuesday.

Photographs posted on social media appear to show the shop front badly damaged following the theft attempt.

Police working to trace the culprits are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

Detective Inspector Graham Grant said: "While the men were successful in gaining entry to the shop, they have been unable to steal the ATM and have left it in the street before making their escape.

"We are continuing our liaison with the store, but it appears nothing has been stolen at this time.

"This is the latest incident involving the stolen Audi from Kirkcaldy and officers from Fife, Midlothian and Edinburgh are all working together to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

"If you have any information that can assist with these ongoing inquiries then please contact police immediately."