East of England Co-op reward doubles as ram-raiders strike

Image caption, The Co-op Village Shop in High Street, Lavenham, Suffolk, was targeted at 01:15 GMT

A reward for information to catch the attackers behind ram-raids at Co-op stores has doubled to 拢40,000.

It comes after the Co-op Village Shop in High Street, Lavenham, Suffolk, was the latest to be targeted at 01:15 GMT.

A Subaru was driven past a parked car, which was outside the shop as a deterrent, and smashed inside.

The East of England Co-op said those responsible left without the empty cash machine, which is inside the shop, and abandoned the vehicle.

Lee Hammond, head of security, said it is believed the ram-raiders operate nationally and are not from the area.

He said they do not keep money inside their cash machines as a result of the recent attacks.

Image caption, The attackers left without the empty cash machine, which is inside the shop

Mr Hammond said they will attempt to get the Lavenham shop open again as soon as possible.

"It's a village facility and it's a busy time of year for us," he added.

Other Co-ops targeted include the ones in Great Cornard, Suffolk and Halstead and Manningtree in Essex.

The store in Dedham, Essex, which was hit on 10 December, has moved temporarily into a barn.