The thieves in this morning’s dramatic smash-and-grab got away empty handed, it has emerged.

The ATM stolen from McColl’s in Roydon High Street was found intact after the dramatic raid at 2am today (September 16), Essex Police have said.

Detectives believe the thieves planned to hide the cash machine and return to it, but it was found after a tip-off from a member of the public.

The police have also announced they are investigating claims that some of the raiders had knives.

The shop’s front was completely destroyed when a forklift truck was driven through the window by the gang, up to four men.

They used the forklift to load the cash machine on to a waiting red Toyota Hilux pick-up truck.

The men left in the pick-up and a white Kia Sportage car, both stolen.

Essex Police officers arrived at 2.12am before starting an area search for the thieves.

Other units extended the search while Hertfordshire officers took details at the scene.

Officers found the pick-up truck and car on a farm track on the outskirts of the village at 2.50am.

The forklift, which had also been stolen, was abandoned in the High Street.

A section of the road was closed at the scene while police forensic investigations were carried out.

DI Greg Wood said: “An extensive search was started as soon as the first officers arrived on scene.

“Numerous members of the public called our control room to report what they had seen and this information was relayed to officers searching nearby and to units across the west of the county and in Hertfordshire.

“A number of people were evacuated from flats above the badly damaged building and police officers liaised with the local council emergency planning officers to arrange temporary accommodation for them.

“It seems that the thieves had planned to hide the ATM, truck and car off a farm track but thanks to the information received from the public we were able to find the cash machine and vehicles before the suspects could return.

“We are now seeking information about the movements of the vehicles in the few hours before the burglary, especially the forklift truck which is not the usual sort of vehicle to be seen on public roads late at night.”

Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police or anyone with video, photographs or information about the movements of the forklift, the pick-up and car, should contact officers at Loughton CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.