Police are appealing for information after a cash machine was stolen during a ram-raid at the Aldi supermarket on the New Mills industrial estate, Ledbury at about 01:15 on 26th October.

Temporary repairs to side of the store.

Enquiries are ongoing.  There have currently been no arrests, however police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or any suspicious behaviour in the area.  Anyone who has any information is requested to call West Mercia Police on 101 quoting incident number 29s, date: 26th October 2017.  Alternatively, information can be given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via their website.

Notices at the pedestrian entrances from Leadon Way and the open space to the rear of the building, and the entrance to the car park, said "Due to unforeseen circumstances the store will be closed until further notice".  Update - 27th October: Staff worked through the night to get the store ready to open this morning.  The pedestrian access from the rear remains closed owing to proximity to the impact zone and damage to its railings.

There was such no notice at the vehicle entrance - indeed the banner saying 'Now Open' remained in place.  A number of would-be customers drove in and then realised, having to turn round in Galebreaker's access.

Someone took this sign literally!  Ironically, Aldi let it remain, surrounding a bollard similar to that in front of the skip.  The bollards were undamaged but clearly are not sufficient defence against a ram-raid: it appears the vehicle bypassed them by being driven over the flower bed (though there were no tyre marks) or was narrow enough to get between them.

Ledbury's Aldi has only been open for just over 2 months and has proved very popular - it was particularly busy the day following the raid.  Disappointed punters had to use the more expensive supermarkets the previous day - it would be interesting to see by how much their takings temporarily increased.

Curiously, there was a very similar raid on an identical Aldi store in Cirencester on 16th August (the day before the Ledbury store opened), according to Gloucestershire Live.