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BUNGLING bank robbers left empty handed after smashing through the wrong roof space into a neighbouring flat.

The dramatic attempt took place in vacant office space over the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), in Fountain Place, Poynton.

And, after the robbers dug through the wrong ceiling space into the flat below, they made another attempt and once more failed to gain entry to the bank.

Although not on the scale of the operation in Hollywood heist film Ocean’s 11, this was an organised but failed effort to break into the bank, confirmed Inspector Gareth Woods, head of Macclesfield Neighbourhood Policing.

"It was organised to a certain extent, but clearly not the slickest of crimes we’ve seen," he said.

"It looks like they’ve broken into the flat above the bank, and pulled some carpet up and made a hole in the floor.

"The first attempt, they went into the flat below rather than the bank because they got the wrong room. Then they went to another room and did manage to make a hole in the ceiling of the bank.

"We don’t believe they gained access to the bank, at this time. They will have taken a fairly considerable amount of time in doing this, and we think they ran out of time or were disturbed."

Nothing was reported stolen and police are now appealing for witnesses.

Insp Woods added: "If anyone has information about who these people were, or saw characters in the area of the bank overnight between February 18 and 19, please contact us."

An RBS spokeswoman said: "Following an incident at RBS Poynton on February 18, we would urge anyone with any information to contact local police as soon as possible."

Chris Stubbs, partner at Greenham Commercial, Macclesfield letting agents for the vacant office block, said: "I’m sure with it being a bank, money would have been locked away safely. It would have to have been a very professional break-in to work. It is bizarre but annoying as it costs money from our perspective."

If you have any information, please contact Macclesfield Police on 0845 4580000, or alternatively you can ring Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.