Brazen thieves have torn a bank’s cash machine from a wall using a stolen JCB digger in an audacious early morning robbery that has left a Lincolnshire town reeling.
The robbers bulldozed through a wall in Horncastle, targeting the ATM outside Lloyds Bank at 2.50am on Sunday in what police described as an organised crime that is highly unusual for the peaceful rural community.
Lincolnshire Police said the building has been “significantly” damaged in the raid, adding that officers believe the JCB had been stolen from nearby before being used to smash through the bank’s exterior.
Second JCB Attack on Cash Machine in Lincolnshire
The incident marks the second time in recent weeks that heavy machinery has been used to target cash machines in Lincolnshire, following a similar attack last month in which a JCB ripped out an ATM from the front of a Co-op store.
The repeat nature of the attacks suggests organised criminal gangs may be operating in the area, using stolen construction equipment to carry out high-value robberies with considerable property damage.
Detective Inspector Paul Sands said: “This type of crime is very unusual for Horncastle and please be reassured we will do all in our power to seek out those responsible and bring them to justice.
Suspects Fled in Second Vehicle
Police believe the offenders fled the scene in a second vehicle, which may have been a pickup truck, suggesting careful planning and coordination amongst multiple criminals.
The use of two vehicles indicates the robbery was carefully orchestrated, with the stolen JCB used to breach the wall and extract the cash machine before the gang made their getaway in a separate vehicle.
Road closures remain in place as forensic enquiries continue and to ensure public safety whilst investigators comb the scene for evidence.
Major Police Investigation Underway
A large number of officers have been deployed to follow up on various lines of enquiry as Lincolnshire Police treat the incident as a serious organised crime.
Det Insp Sands said: “We are appealing for the public’s help in finding the culprits of this organised crime, which happened overnight in an otherwise peaceful rural town.”
He added: “We have a number of officers at the scene who are there to assist with the investigation, but are also there for the public. Please do speak to them if you have any concerns or if you have any information that you have not already reported to us.”
The force is appealing for any information, dashcam footage and CCTV footage that may help identify the suspects or the vehicles used in the robbery.
MPs Voice Concerns Over Police Funding Cuts
The brazen robbery comes as MPs within Lincolnshire have voiced their disappointment at a letter warning of police cuts going unanswered by the Home Secretary.
Seven MPs, including Reform Deputy Leader Richard Tice, Dr Caroline Johnson, Sir John Hayes, Sir Edward Leigh, Victoria Atkins, Alicia Kearns and Gareth Davies, all signed the letter voicing their concerns about the force’s funding crisis.
Dr Caroline Johnson, MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, said: “It is deeply disappointing that we have not heard from the Home Secretary about our fears for the future of Lincolnshire Police’s funding and what she will do about the precarity of the situation the force finds itself in.”
She added: “We made clear on 11 July that Lincolnshire Police will have no choice but to progress with detrimental reductions in officer and staff numbers in October if the long-term support required from the Department is not forthcoming.”
The MPs have requested that the Home Secretary meet with them urgently to discuss how funding issues can be resolved to ensure the sustainability of safe and effective policing in Lincolnshire.
Home Office Defends Funding Increase
A Home Office spokesman defended the government’s support for Lincolnshire Police, stating the force will receive £174.5 million funding in the current financial year, an increase of 6.2 per cent on 2024 to 2025.
We will continue working with the police to ensure they have the resources they need to restore visible neighbourhood policing to our communities, and tackle the crimes that make people feel unsafe,” the spokesman said.
However, the MPs’ concerns suggest the funding increase may not be sufficient to prevent officer and staff reductions given the force’s financial pressures.
ATM Attacks Rise Across UK
The Horncastle robbery is part of a broader trend of audacious cash machine thefts across the United Kingdom, with criminal gangs increasingly targeting standalone ATMs using heavy machinery.
Such attacks typically involve stolen diggers, telehandlers or JCBs being used to rip machines from walls or buildings before criminals make off with the cash inside.
The method causes extensive property damage, often running into tens of thousands of pounds, in addition to the loss of the cash machine and its contents.
Banks and retailers have responded by installing more secure cash machines and implementing additional security measures, though determined criminals continue to find ways to target vulnerable locations.
UK Crime Statistics Show Mixed Picture
Up until March 2025, approximately 1.78 million theft offences were recorded by police across the UK, down from nearly 3.41 million in the previous year, representing a significant decline.
However, around 531,000 shoplifting cases were reported during the period, reaching a peak for this type of crime.
Approximately 78,800 robberies occurred during the period, slightly down from the previous year, suggesting some categories of theft are falling whilst others surge.
London reported the highest crime rate across the UK, with 52.9 offences committed per 1,000 people, significantly above the national average.
Rural Communities Face Organised Crime
The Horncastle attack highlights how organised criminal gangs are increasingly targeting rural communities where police response times may be longer and security measures less robust than in urban areas.
Small market towns like Horncastle, with populations of just a few thousand residents, rarely experience such brazen and violent robberies, leaving local communities shocked and concerned about their safety.
The significant damage to the Lloyds Bank building will likely take considerable time and expense to repair, potentially leaving the town without easy access to banking services in the interim.
Local businesses and residents now face the prospect of increased security concerns as police work to identify and apprehend those responsible for the audacious theft.
Appeal for Witnesses and Information
Lincolnshire Police are urging anyone who saw suspicious activity in the Horncastle area during the early hours of Sunday morning to come forward.
Officers are particularly interested in anyone who may have seen a JCB being moved on a trailer or driven on roads in the hours before the attack, or any pickup trucks in the vicinity of the bank around the time of the robbery.
Dashcam footage from motorists travelling through Horncastle or the surrounding area between midnight and 4am could prove crucial in identifying the suspects and vehicles used in the crime.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police, with the force emphasising that even seemingly minor details could prove vital to the investigation.
As the investigation continues, residents of Horncastle and the wider Lincolnshire area will be hoping for swift arrests to reassure the community that such organised criminal activity will not be tolerated.
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