‘Spooked robbers’ dumped tens of thousands of pounds after realising the ATM stolen in the Roydon ram raid was too big, police say.

The ATM stolen after a forklift truck was driven through the window of McColl’s in Roydon High Street was found intact at 2am on Wednesday (September 16).

Detectives believe the thieves planned to hide the cash machine, containing a five figure sum and return to it, after they realised it was too big to escape with.

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 in the previous 48 hours.

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

Engineers from the ATM owners were able to confirm the cash was safe after they examined the device following investigations by forensic specialists from Essex Police.

Detectives now believe the thieves abandoned plans to break open the ATM because it was bigger than expected.

DI Greg Wood said: "We have found that the Hilux was right down on its suspension and probably struggled to carry the ATM. It now seems likely that the thieves just dumped the pick-up and car because they realised they could not get far before being caught by police.

"Another factor is that they were probably spooked because so many local people were woken up and they realised police were on the way.

"We are extremely grateful to all those witnesses who dialled 999 and gave us running commentaries of what was going on, good descriptions of the men and the registration numbers of the vehicles involved.

"We are now concentrating enquiries on how the thieves left the area after dumping the two vehicles at Occupation Lane."

Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police or anyone with other information should contact officers at Loughton CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.