Tyres slashed on eight police cars as officers try to respond to nearby cash machine theft

Police cars had their tyres slashed minutes before receiving reports of cash point thefts, officers have said.

The police cars, which were parked at the rear of the station, each had a slashed tyre.

But it was only which was discovered as officers tried to respond to a cash machine theft in the Cotswolds on Saturday morning at 3.30am.

CCTV showed three people, one in grey and two in dark clothing, running from the scene of the damaged cars about ten minutes before the theft nearby had been reported.

It's believed a stolen cherry picker was used to access the cash machine at Euro Garage Service Station before thieves smashing it and making off with part of it.

Four cash cassettes were also stolen from the station in Stow Road, Moreton in Marsh.

Fortunately, other officers from Stow-on-the-Wold were already on patrol in the area so could respond immediately.

Once they arrived, the offenders had fled.

Officers believe the two incidents are connected and were carried out by 'professionals'.

All eight cars have now been repaired.

Police are now appealing for anyone with information and it's not yet known if the two incidents are linked or carried out by the same group.