Appeal to B&B owners over cash point ram-raid

Airbnb and guesthouse hosts are being asked to help police find those behind a cash point ram-raid.

Devon & Cornwall Police believe four people were involved in a break-in and would have stayed nearby prior to the burglary at a Co-op store on Glen Road. Plympton, in Devon, in the early hours of Monday morning.

The force said officers were notified at about 01:45 GMT when it was believed a stolen John Deere telehandler was used to ram into the wall at the store allowing for two cashpoint machines to be removed, and a "large sum of cash was stolen".

Anyone who runs an Airbnb, a bed and breakfast or guesthouse who had a booking for four men at the weekend has been asked to get in touch.

Det Con Andrew Trott-Rodgers said following inquires, it was found the telehandler had been stolen between 17:30 on Sunday and 01:30 on Monday from a nearby farm.

He said: "We believe four people were involved in the break-in, all were dressed in dark clothing and had their hoods up and faces covered.

"They arrived at the Co-op in stolen vehicles, all of which have since been found burnt out in a forest nearby at Sparkwell.

"The telehandler was left at the scene."

Trott-Rodgers said detectives would also like to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in the Smithaleigh area of Plympton near and around Piggeries Farm, as well as witnesses who may have seen anything suspicious around Downfield Drive and Glen Road areas on Monday morning.

"We are asking residents who live in these areas, who we have not already spoken to, for doorbell camera footage, or anyone with dashcam footage to get in touch," he added.

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