A car smashed into the middle of a Co-op store in another ram raid in the region early this morning but a targeted cash machine was not stolen, police have said. The East of England Co-op has doubled its reward to £40,000 to help catch the criminals.

A Suburu estate vehicle was “reversed right through into the middle” of the Co-op Foodhall store in High Street, Lavenham at around 1.15am this morning, a force spokesman said.

He described the damage as “reasonably extensive” but said the ram raid has “not caused massive structural damage”.

Ipswich Star: Produce from the shop covered the pavement yesterday morning. Picture: GREGG BROWNProduce from the shop covered the pavement yesterday morning. Picture: GREGG BROWN

It is believed a cash machine was targeted but it was not stolen, a force spokesman said.

“They were not successful,” he said.

Ipswich Star: A vehicle has been reversed into a Co-op store in Lavenham. Picture: ARCHANTA vehicle has been reversed into a Co-op store in Lavenham. Picture: ARCHANT

The East of England Co-op has doubled a reward to catch those responsible to £40,000. Details here.

It is the third reported ram raid at a Co-op store in the region this month following incidents in Dedham and Great Cornard.

It is believed that nothing else was targeted or stolen in the Lavenham ram raid this morning.

Police said that the offenders fled the scene after the vehicle was driven into the store.

Ipswich Star: A vehicle was also reversed into a Co-op store in Lavenham High Street on December 21. Picture: ARCHANTA vehicle was also reversed into a Co-op store in Lavenham High Street on December 21. Picture: ARCHANT

A crime scene remains in place while police investigate.

There have not been any arrests.

Ipswich Star: The Lavenham shop is the latest Co-op to be targeted by ram raiders. Picture: GREGG BROWNThe Lavenham shop is the latest Co-op to be targeted by ram raiders. Picture: GREGG BROWN

The ram raid was reported to police by “multiple sources”.

One witness said there was glass and items from the store, particulary “chocolate boxes”, strewn across the pavement outside the shop.

Ipswich Star: A vehicle has been reversed into a Co-op store in Lavenham. Picture: ARCHANTA vehicle has been reversed into a Co-op store in Lavenham. Picture: ARCHANT

“It is right in the middle of the store,” he said. “I’m not quite sure how it managed to reverse all the way in there.

“There are quite a few people around, including police and Co-op staff I believe.”

Suffolk Constabulary statement (5.15am)

Police were called to the Co-op Foodstore, High Street Lavenham, following a report of a ram raid at 0115 hours this morning.

A Suburu estate vehicle was driven in to the store, and was left in situ by offenders before they fled the scene. A crime scene remains in place whilst an investigation continues.

Witnesses to the incident are asked to contact Suffolk police on 101 quoting incident reference SC-21122017-16.