Hurstpierpoint ram-raid: MP hits out at ‘reckless’ act

In the early hours of Saturday morning (September 5) a cash machine was torn out of the wall of Nationwide Building Society using a digger.

Arundel and South Downs MP Andrew Griffith attended the scene of the raid. He said: “I was shocked to hear of the digger raid on the ATM in Hurstpierpoint in the early hours of Saturday morning, and visited the scene of the crime with Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne and local Councillor Joy Dennis that morning.

“Aside from depriving the local community of an important facility, this was a reckless act which risked major structural damage to the building, and we are lucky that there were no residents in the floors above the site of the crash.”

Police are seeking witnesses to the incident. Read more here

Katy Bourne added: “On Saturday I attended the scene of the ATM raid in Hurstpierpoint and was shocked to see the aftermath of this incident. Many residents had gathered and were rightly concerned about the safety of their village.

“It was incredibly reassuring for me to see our Police Community Support Officers in action, scene-guarding and providing calm advice and guidance to onlooking residents.”

Police officers acted very quickly in response and have arrested one man in relation to this and recovered the stolen ATM and cash machine for vital evidence, she said.

PCC Bourne added: “However, there are still suspects outstanding so, if you have any information, please contact the police online or by calling 101 and quoting Operation Brunch.”