RAIDERS have attacked a garage cash machine for the second time in two months.

Police say a second attack by thieves on the cash machine at Parkway Garage may be linked to the same criminal gang.

The thieves made off with the cash machine in the raid last Friday but discarded it when it was found to be empty. Detective constable Lawrence James of Herefordshire CID said: "The offenders approached the garage forecourt between 12.45am and 2am in an Audi estate car. Three offenders in balaclavas have then smashed the CCTV before attacking the ATM which had already been subject of a previous attack on the August 31 and was not in use. No money was stolen."

Damage was also caused to security lighting and the cash machine was removed from the forecourt by the thieves, but later recovered.

Officers think they headed from the scene in the direction of the M50.

In the previous raid, the cash machine was not removed.

DC James said: "We are looking for people wandering around in vans or cars. There are quite a few incident incidents for an area like Ledbury."

On the same night several cars in the Parkway area were broken into and items stolen from inside including sat navs and number plates.

On the same night, number plates were also stolen from a 4 x 4 car which was parked up in Albert Road, Ledbury.

Police have not stated whether or not these other crimes are linked.

071016.