THOUSANDS of pounds was stolen from an ATM overnight after thieves used an angle grinder and gas cylinders to blow up a cash machine. 

 The incident took place at the post office on Avenue Parade at around 4.50am on Sunday and although a figure has not yet been confirmed, it is estimated that the thieves escaped with tens of thousand of pounds.

The suspects, thought to be four males, escaped from the scene in a stolen BMW which was later found by officers in Clayton-le-Moors.

A police spokesman said: "Officers sighted them in a stolen vehicle in Clayton-le-Moors before the four made off.

"Crime scene investigators are now examining both the car and the scene of the crime for evidence."

A section of Avenue Parade was cordoned off during most of Sunday while officers investigated the crime.

Sarah Birbeck, who lives around the corner from the shop, said she heard noise of sirens at around 5am but didn't realise at the time what was going on. 

She said: "It wasn't until this morning that I left the house and saw the mess they had left behind."

Victoria Wallace, who lives on Cambridge Street said: "Crime in the area is getting worse it's very worrying to be honest and it concerns me.

"I have a 19-year-old and a 11-year-old and I really worry about my younger son as it is a bad world that we live in."

Dot Parker, who has lived in the area for over 30 years, said the level of crime in the town is the highest she has ever known it to be.

She said: "I'm glad my children are grown up now, as I wouldn't want them growing up in this place at the moment. There is so much crime and I don't really feel very safe anymore.

"I hope these people get caught and the justice they deserve."

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "There was an attack on the Post Office on Avenue Parade in Accrington at about 4.50am this morning. 

"The suspects have used an angle grinder to cut through the shutters and have then used gas cylinders to blow up the cash machine.

"Although not confirmed, they have made off with a large sum of money."

Anybody with any information is urged to contact the police on 101 quoting crime reference number 283 of October 7.