Staff at Totnes Cross Filling Station were busy clearing up after the cash machine was stolen from the fore court on Monday morning.

The wall, which the cash machine was attached to, as well as the metal poles that secured the machine to the floor were destroyed as the machine was removed using a stolen telehandler in the early hours of the morning. A stolen Merlo Telehandler was used to rip the cash machine from its location. A police officer at the scene said: “The farmer had reported it being stolen this morning.”An investigation has been launched and enquiries are underway.

Staff were power-washing fuel from the scene this morning, suspected to have leaked when the vehicle the offenders used was damaged, and not leaking from the station itself.

Police tape closed off the entrance from the Dartmouth road, but the garage is still operational.

A Devon and Cornwall Police representative said: "Officers were notified around 4.20am this morning to reports of a ram raid at the Totnes Cross filling station on the A381, Totnes.

"Offenders have made off with a cashpoint machine from the garage forecourt and in doing so has demolished part of the building.

"An investigation has been launched and enquiries are underway.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact police on [email protected] or by calling 101 quoting log number 0105 210817."

This story will be updated as we learn more.