The dramatic Roydon ram raid earlier this month is linked to two other cash machine thefts, police have confirmed.

After thieves got away with a ‘five figure’ sum of money from an ATM in Harlow on Saturday (September 26), detectives said they were investigating a possible link with a similar raid in Roydon on September 16.

Essex Police have now confirmed they are officially linking the two, as well another raid in Harlow on August 28.

In that incident, thieves used a red Mitsubishi to smash open shutters at The Food Store in The Chase, before taking another ‘five figure’ amount of money.

The thieves left the Roydon raid empty-handed, after the ATM from McColl’s in High Street was found intact following a public tip-off.

Police believe the gang, some of whom may have had knives, abandoned the cash machine after realising it was too big.

In the latest raid in Harlow, a JCB digger was used to remove an ATM from Martins newsagents.

The machine was then loaded onto a van which left with a red car, believed to be an Audi.

Yesterday, detective chief inspector Stuart Smith said: “We now believe all three thefts are linked and we are carrying out extensive enquiries to find out who is responsible and bring them to justice.

“There have been a number of similar incidents across the eastern region and we are working closely with our colleagues in the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit.

“As well as appealing for anyone with information to come forward, I would also particularly ask people such as taxi drivers and lorry drivers who are out on the road late at night or in the early hours of the morning to be on the look-out for forklift trucks, telehandlers and similar vehicles being driven around.

“It is unusual for this type of machinery to be on public roads at these times.

“I would also urge farmers and construction workers to make sure their vehicles are stored securely and ideally fitted with tracking devices.”

Anyone with information about the ongoing police investigation into the three thefts is asked to call the Serious and Organised Crime Unit on 101.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.