A newsagents has been severely damaged in a smash and grab raid in the early hours of this morning.

The McColl's on Roydon High Street was targeted by a gang this, who witnesses say got away with the cash machine from the store.

Police were called by neighbours at around 1.45am this morning.

A 36-year-old resident of Harlow Road who did not wish to be named said he saw a pick-up truck and a four-by-four used in the attack.

“I saw the getaway cars and I called the police,” he said,

“From what I understand there were four or five people involved in the actual ram, and there were two vehicles.

“They were ramming the shop with a pick-up truck for about five minutes.

“The pick-up truck had the cash machine attached to the back of it.”

Around 15 people lined the street in the aftermath, including three people who live above the shop who had to be evacuated and a couple from the house next door.

Despite the shock of the attack, what surprised the residents the most, according to the witness, was the time it took officers to respond.

“Hertforsdshire Police arrived after about 25 minutes but the car from Essex police arrived 50 minutes after,” he said.

“The question everyone is asking is how it can take that long for them to arrive.”

It is believed the vehicles were later found dumped in the area.

Epping Road in Roydon remains closed between Hansells Mead and Low Hill Road. Drivers are being asked to avoid the area.

Detectives have appealed for information following the incident.

A police spokesman said the ATM was removed by the forklift truck after it was driven through a window.

He said: “Up to four men were believed to have been involved in the incident. Some of them arrived and left in a white Kia car.

“The car and the pick-up, a red Toyota, which had both been reported stolen, were found on a farm track on the outskirts of Roydon at about 2.50am when police carried out an extensive area search.

“The cash machine was found on the pick-up.

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

Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police or anyone with 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.