Two people have been arrested after the theft of an ATM in Co Antrim.

The individuals were arrested after thieves used a digger to rip the cash machine from the wall of a service station on the Tully Road at Nutts Corner.

The attack was the latest in a spate of ATM thefts in Northern Ireland this year. Fifteen machines have been stolen in 2019.

Police said they were not disclosing information about the suspects detained for investigative reasons, describing them only as "two persons".

PSNI Detective Inspector Richard Thornton said: "Police received a report that a digger was being used to remove an ATM from a service station on the Tully Road at around 3.30am this morning.

"We immediately directed considerable policing resources to the area and two arrests were made and the stolen ATM recovered.

"Both people are currently in custody and will be questioned on suspicion of theft and a number of other offences."

The Tully Road was closed this morning to enable a forensic examination.

Mr Thornton appealed to witnesses or anyone else with information about the theft to come forward.

The owner of the business, Gordon Stewart, lives just a few yards away from the garage and was awoken by the sound of the alarm.

"We looked out and could see some activity in the forecourt," he said.

By the time he managed to get into his wheelchair to go to the scene, the digger had been set on fire. It is the fourth time the family owned business has been targeted by thieves in the past ten years.

Mr Stewart was determined to re-open for business as soon as possible.

"Give us an hour or two after the police are finished doing what they have to do and I hope to be open again," he said.

The garage is on one of the busiest roads in Northern Ireland. In addition to being one of the main routes to Belfast International Airport, it is also a commuter route for thousands of people who work in Belfast city centre.

Councillor Paul Michael, the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, is a regular user of the garage.

He has welcomed the arrests and expressed surprise that the thieves struck at such a busy location.

"This really was bold as brass," he said. "We all know the pressure the police have been under, so these arrests are to be welcomed."

The arrests come after a spate of ATM robberies on both sides of the border.

Before today, 14 ATMs had been stolen in 11 separate incidents across Northern Ireland since the start of this year.

There have also been robberies in recent months in counties Cavan, Meath and Monaghan.

The PSNI believes at least three gangs have been involved and police on both sides of the border have said catching those responsible was a key priority.

They thanked those living and working in the Tully Road and Nutt’s Corner area as well as commuters travelling this morning for their patience as a result of road closures.

The PSNI also warned that the arrests did not mean they would be complacent. They said: "we recognise there are a number of gangs carrying out these attacks on ATMs and the threat of more thefts is very real."