RAM-RAIDERS used a digger to smash down a wall and steal a cashpoint machine in the early hours of Monday morning.
They caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when they struck at the Windmill Service Station on the A338 Salisbury Road near Ringwood.
Emergency services were called to the service station, which has a Shell garage and a Budgens store, just before 2.30am.
The garage, near the Headlands Business Park, was cordoned off following the incident. It remained closed on Monday afternoon.
A spokesman for Hampshire Police said: “A digger has been used to remove a cash machine from the wall. Significant damage was caused to the building.
“An investigation is in its early stages and we are keen to hear from anyone who has information about what happened.
“In particular, we would like to hear from anyone who was driving in this area at this time and noticed anything suspicious.”
Several police vehicles are at the scene and forensics officers were focusing their attention on the area formerly occupied by the cashpoint machine.
The garage and shop offer fuel, a Costa Express, a car wash and a large convenience store.
Several members of staff were at the scene but they were unable to say when the facility will re-open. They declined to comment on what had happened.
Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting the crime reference number 44190172801.
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