£15,000 reward to help catch digger bank raiders

A JCB digger, stolen from a nearby construction site, was used to remove the cash machine from the outside of the HSBC bank shortly before 4am.

The machine was then loaded on to the back of a red Toyota pick up truck which was stolen late on Friday evening.

More damage was caused after the JCB was driven into a clothes shop. The ram raiders then dumped it leaving the engine running.

Police believe the suspects drove away south along High Street in the pick up truck. The road was shut while officers carried out forensic investigations.

The digger was stolen from a site near Steyning Grammar School just before the raid happened and police are keen to talk to anyone who was woken by the noise or who may have information about the incident.

HSBC is offering a reward of 15,000 to any member of the public who can provide information which will lead to a conviction of those involved.

Telephone Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 and quote Operation Venom.

More news from around the county in West Sussex Gazette, September 15