APPEAL: Bungling thieves tried to blow up cash machine in Padiham

Police are now appealing for information after the offenders pulled up at the Texaco Service Station on Burnley Road before inserting some sort of incendiary device and a cloth into the cash machine which then exploded and caught fire.

The hapless thieves then tried to put the fire out before fleeing empty handed in a black estate, believed to be an Audi A4 with the number plates removed.

The incident happened at about 1am on Tuesday morning although it was only reported to police yesterday afternoon.

The service station was cordoned off while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team investigated the device and ensured the area was safe.

A police investigation is now under way to trace the offenders.

The incident is not linked to the report of a suspicious package at Burnley Cricket Club on the same day.

Detective Inspector Andy Horne, of East CID, said: “We are treating this incident extremely seriously and have a team of investigators carrying out a number of specialist enquiries to try to identify the people responsible.

“We are grateful to our friends from the EOD for attending and ensuring the area was safe for us to carry out our investigations and we have also made sure that we have shared information with industry partners so they can take appropriate action.

“We need the public’s help as they are our eyes and ears. They could have information which helps us identify those responsible for this offence and they can help by reporting any other suspicious activity around banks or ATMs.

“I would urge anyone with information to contact us.”

A 100m cordon was put in place to allow experts to examine the cash machine. It was later lifted at around 9pm.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log number 0849 of September 24th or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Janet Scrillo, who lives nearby on Cowley Crescent, said she was shocked when she walked down the street to see the service station closed.

She said: “I’d been following what had been happening in Burnley all day, so I was in disbelief when I saw the bomb squad just down the road from my home.

“I wouldn’t imagine the two were connected, though it does initially make you think about what is going on in the area.

“Anyway, they came and sorted it all out, so we feel safe again now.”

Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes on Tuesday morning as the police and bomb disposal experts were scrambled to Burnley Cricket Club following the discovery of a suspicious item, thought to be a suitcase.

Roads in the area were called for around six hours, with residents seeking refuge in the nearby St Peter’s Centre.

At around 6pm on Tuesday, police officers confirmed that bomb experts had established the item found in the club’s grounds was not suspicious.