Thieves used a forklift to tear an ATM from a funeral director's building on Halstead High Street in Essex on Thursday morning. The incident occurred around 1:50 a.m. when a Matbro digger was used to repeatedly smash into the building, creating a large hole.
Footage of the event shows a group of men attempting to retrieve the cash machine after the vehicle created a gaping hole in the funeral home. Emergency services were called to the scene, and one vehicle used in the theft was recovered. No arrests have been made, but police have stated that several witnesses have been interviewed.
Craig Collier, chief operating officer at Daniel Robinson & Sons funeral home, stated that the noise from the incident was so significant that he believes "half the street woke up." He expressed concern about the proximity of the theft to the deceased housed at the funeral home, noting the potential need to relocate bodies if the building's integrity was compromised.
The funeral home itself is a separate structure and remains undamaged, operating as normal. A spokesperson for the business acknowledged the impact on the local community due to the loss of the cashpoint, describing it as a "vital piece of local infrastructure." They also noted potential disruptions to local phone and internet services, affecting both businesses and residents. The business is working to remove debris and clear the highway.
Essex Police are urging anyone with further information, CCTV, dashcam footage, or any other relevant video to come forward. Reports can be made via the Essex Police website or through their 24/7 online Live Chat service, referencing incident 84 of September 10. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crimestoppers via their website or by calling 0800 555 111.