Forensic officers are carrying out investigations in Sale town centre this morning after a cash machine was left blown apart in an 'explosion'.
Thieves targeted the Tesco Bank ATM outside the supermarket's entrance on Hereford Street at around 2.50am this morning (Monday). Police said they used an 'explosive device' to try and steal cash from it.
Bomb disposal experts were scrambled to the scene, as well as police officers and fire crews. No-one was injured and no arrests have been made at this stage.
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Police said officers are 'following a number of lines of enquiry'. This morning, a cordon remains in place around the Tesco supermarket.
The store is currently closed to the public. Pictures show the ATM left blown apart, with debris from the explosion left strewn across the pavement in front.
Forensic officers are continuing to carry out investigations on the scene. A number of roads in the area, including Springfield Road and Sibson Road, were reported to have been closed off earlier this morning, though these are now believed to be open with the tape remaining in place around the supermarket.
In a statement, a GMP spokesperson said: "At around 2:50am this morning (Monday 20 November) Greater Manchester Police were called to reports of an attempted robbery at a premises on Hereford Street, Sale. It’s believed that the suspects used an explosive device to gain access to a cash machine.
"Colleagues from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) also attended the scene, thankfully no injuries were reported. A scene remains in place which is likely to impact local businesses and travel in the area for the duration of the morning.
"No arrests have been made at this stage but police are following a number of lines of enquiry."
A spokesperson for Tesco said: "Our Sale Superstore is currently closed to allow police to investigate an incident which occurred overnight."
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