Police believe six people and two vehicles were involved in a daring 4am ram raid on the Aldi store in Chatteris today.
The store is closed temporarily while forensics completes their work and store management are able to survey the extent of the damage.
It is believed the thieves targeted an ATM machine positioned just inside the door.
The store – formerly the Co-op – is shortly to celebrate its second birthday in the town.
It is the latest in a sustained campaign of ram raids and burglaries that have so far mainly targeted East Cambridgeshire.
The Chatteris robbery has prompted questioning on social media today of a shortage of police and whether closure of Chatteris police station has given free reign to thieves.
John Prout said: “You have to wonder whether this is lack of policing (and a permanent police station) or whether it would just have happened anyway, but we do seem to be experiencing an increase in crime here in Chatteris.
“By the way are these the same crims that did over the Post Office in Chatteris I wonder?”
Darren Clarke wrote: “Another smash and grab in Chatteris this morning (Aldi). What are Cambridgeshire Police’s thoughts on policing levels in Fenland, especially now that the police station in Chatteris has been closed? Do we, as Chatteris residents, just suffer the increase in crime?
Matthew Halmshaw posted: “Is the lack of police presence the issue in the area? Places like this are a heaven for raiders. Take the post office in Chatteris. No police for hours... plenty of time to get in and out without a fuss.”
Timeline of burglaries and ram raids in East Cambridgeshire since mid-October:
October 17: A property in Columbine Road, Ely, was broken into and a pair of Nike trainers was taken.
November 17: A stolen Range Rover was used in an attempted ram raid at a Co-op service station on Ness Road, Burwell.
November 19: Cash and jewellery stolen from an address in Longfields, Ely.
November 22: Cash and jewellery stolen from an address in Hertford Close, Ely.
November 26: Cash and jewellery stolen from an address in Norfolk Road, Ely.
December 3: Thieves broke into The Deli @ 65 on High Street, Sutton, and caused damage to fridges, freezers and locks. They also stole hundreds of pounds worth of food and alcohol.
December 5: A man entered the post office in Main Street, Stow cum Quy, and approached the till area, pulled a knife out and threatened staff before taking the cash drawer from the till.
December 7: Thieves broke into an address in Hillside Meadow, Fordham, and stole jewellery.
December 8: Thieves returned to The Deli @ 65 stealing the till, locks, food and drink.
December 9: Costcutter in Main Street, Littleport, was hit by ram-raiders. Three people stole a cash machine after smashing into it in a car; the shop was left with smashed windows and doors and a bollard outside were also knocked over.
December 10: Four people broke into the Co-op store on Wisbech Road, Littleport, and stole cigarettes at around 1.10am.
December 11: Four men forced their way into the Soham branch of Asda in Clay Street, on Monday, stealing cigarettes before leaving the area.
December 13: Thieves burgled an address in Trinity Close, Fordham, and stole jewellery.
December 15: Thieves broke into properties in Collins Hill and Murfitt’s Lane, Fordham. Jewellery was stolen in both incidents.
December 15: Night raiders used a teleporter and a fork lift truck in a midnight ram raid on the BP garage at Littleport.
January 3: Thieves forced a gas store open and stole four oxygen cylinders from the Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely.
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