Thieves target ATM at Banbury Co-op 'with exploding foam'

The raiders sprayed the shutters at the Cherwell Heights store with the foam and set fire to it to get to the ATM behind at around 3am, the Banbury Guardian was told.

Glass was smashed in the process but it is not believed anything was taken from inside the shop on Chatsworth Drive, which is currently closed.

A Co-operative employee who was in first reported the incident to police who arrived shortly after and taped off the area.

Peter Christoforou, manager at Q Fish Chatsworth next door, said: "It's scary if the area is being targeted.

"I don't know what the CCTV is like around here but it's a Neighbourhood Watch area.

"We have to hope the community will get together a little bit more after incidents like this but who's up at three in the morning? What can you do at that time?

"We're thinking of getting cameras in here, I think we're going to have to as all of the businesses will be targeted but it's sad for the community."

The shop is the latest to be raided with thieves targeting ATMs, after the Spar in Bodicote was ram-raided last week.

The nurses at Cherwell Heights Dental Care a few doors down from the Co-op said the area is usually quiet and nice so it was a shame for a business to be targeted.

Co-op and Thames Valley Police have been contacted for comment.