A CASH machine has been stolen by thieves who ram raided a convenience store.

The suspects used a Jeep Cherokee four-wheel-drive vehicle to smash into the front of the Co-Op store in Field Place Parade, The Strand, Goring in the early hours of this morning.

They dragged out the cash machine and loaded it into the boot at around 1.30am.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “A nearby police patrol saw the Jeep north bound in The Boulevard.

“As the police patrol vehicle came behind the Jeep, the Jeep stopped and reversed into the police Ford Mondeo, causing damage to the front of the car and minor injuries to the police officer driving it.”

“It then travelled a short distance before the occupants abandoned it, getting into a nearby saloon car which had followed the Jeep.“ Police said the saloon then drove off at speed with no lights on and turned east into Terringes Avenue towards the junction with Tarring Village.

A passer-by, a white man in a light-coloured t-shirt, pointed pursuing officers in the direction the getaway vehicle had taken however they lost it close to Tarring Village, in the Rectory Road area.

Both the Jeep Cherokee and stolen ATM have been recovered.

Detectives want to speak to anyone who witnessed the raid or subsequent pursuit, and in particular would like to speak with the passer-by who tried to help officers.

Anyone with information is asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phone 101, quoting serial 66 of May 23.

Alternatively witnesses can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org