Photo Gallery: Update - Three held after attempted raid at University of East Anglia

The scene at the UEA. Photo: Bill Smith Archant

Three men have been arrested in connection with an attempted theft of an ATM machine at the University of East Anglia in Norwich.

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Scene at the UEA tonight. Photo: Bill Smith

The three men, aged 33, 37 and 18, were taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

They were arrested after police were called to the Student Union bar in the Lower Common Room at 8.15pm last night following reports that an attempt was being made to take an ATM cash machine.

Two police vehicles were damaged as one of the suspects made an attempt to leave the scene in a car.

A cordon was put in place at the scene while inquiries continue. The ATM machine has been seized for forensic examination.

Scene at the UEA tonight. Photo: Bill Smith

No one was hurt in the incident.

A statement on the Union UEA Students twitter page last night added: “We can confirm an incident in Union House tonight. Police on the scene within a couple of minutes, four people in custody, no-one hurt.”

According to one eyewitness, at least two men, wearing “masks and overalls smashed the door with a car”, and attempted to steal the Hive cash machine. According to the same eyewitness, two men were apprehended by police at the scene.

Another eyewitness said the police vehicle had been “totalled” during the incident. Another student, who witnessed the aftermath praised the quick response of the police and UEA security guards.

Concrete, the UEA student newspaper tweeted just after 9pm: “Masked men have stolen the cash machine from the Hive. Two arrests have been made.”

The student tabloid paper, the Tab Norwich, added: “Attempted robbery of the cash-point in the Hive. Police on the scene.”

A Young Greens political event was being held in the Hive at the time of the attempted robbery, but carried on as normal.

Students at UEA were quick to take to take to social networks to report the incident.

Sonny Regis said: “Police and forensics all over UEA. Swarms of them! Turns out that somebody... tried to break into the cash machine! With a crowbar!”

Nick Carter added: “Just heard about the UEA thing. Hope my friends there are alright.”

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