Thieves dig 50ft tunnel to steal cash machine

Thieves have managed to dig a 50ft tunnel to steal a cash machine at a Tesco in Salford. Police say a 'significant amount' of money was stolen.

The theft happened between midnight and 6am on Friday, March 14 on Liverpool Road in Eccles.

The thieves tunnelled under nearby wasteland overnight and into the shop, where they stole cash boxes containing a substantial sum of money before disappearing back into the tunnel and escaping with the money.

Officers believe the thieves may have spent a number of months digging the tunnel, because of the amount of planning that was involved and complex nature of the tunnel structure.

DS Mark Toker from Salford Division said: "These people had obviously spent a long time plotting this crime and I doubt they would have been able to keep their plans secret for all that time, without telling others about their elaborate scheme.

"I would ask anyone with any information about the robbery to call us as soon as possible"