DETECTIVES are investigating an unsuccessful ram raid on a Basingstoke shop.

The raid took place just after 2am this morning at the Co-operative store in Greenlands Road, Limes Park, Rooksdown.

A 4x4 vehicle was used to reverse into the shopfront, police said. An unsuccessful attempt was then made to remove the shop’s freestanding cash point.

The offenders then left the scene in the 4x4 vehicle, followed by another silver vehicle.

The shop remained taped off at 9am this morning and scenes-of-crime officers could be seen examining the damaged shopfront.

Restaurant manager John Watson said he had just returned from work when he heard a crashing noise at 2.10am.

The 26-year-old told The Gazette: “At first it sounded like a car accident and then there was loud revving and repetitive hitting of the shop, so it was pretty obvious what was going on.

“They were going at it for a minute or so trying to get in, and then I heard them shout, ‘Leave it’.

“When the first bang happened the alarm did not go off. But when they went again and again it went off and I heard them shouting, there were certainly a few of them.”

Mr Watson said he called the police and they were quickly on the scene.

Detective Constable Chris Phillips, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: “Such an incident is likely to have caused a lot of noise in the local area and we are hoping that someone might have seen or heard something.”

Anyone with information can contact DC Phillips on the northern investigation team on 101, quoting 44150081643, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.