Shocked residents living next to a village shop in east Suffolk have described hearing a “huge bang” as it was targeted by ram raiders.

Ipswich Star: The store is expected to be closed for some time while investigation work is carried out. Picture: ARCHANTThe store is expected to be closed for some time while investigation work is carried out. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Forensic investigation work is under way at McColl’s in High Road, Trimley St Martin, this morning as detectives say they are linking the attack to another raid in Lavenham and possibly another in Fordham near Newmarket.Police were sent to the store at 11.30pm, shortly after it closed for the day at 10pm, but the suspects escaped.

The suspected raiders reversed a silver Subaru Impreza into the shop front and attempted to drag out the cash machine, but this was not successful and led to the car flipping over.

Four men all dressed in black then escaped the scene in a black Mercedes estate driven by a fifth person.

Despite living a few doors away from the shop, Robert Keeble said he slept through it.

Ipswich Star: Police were carrying out investigation work at the shop this morning. Picture: ARCHANTPolice were carrying out investigation work at the shop this morning. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

He added: “I never heard a thing, not a wink – I’m a heavy sleeper.

“I didn’t hear the alarm go off, nothing, and I live six doors down.

“The staff here can’t believe I didn’t hear it, apparently it was a massive bang.

He added: “I’m in total shock. Nothing like this happens in Trimley, not ever.

Ipswich Star: Damage caused to the McColl's store in Trimley St Martin after a ram raid. Picture: ARCHANTDamage caused to the McColl's store in Trimley St Martin after a ram raid. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

“Ram raiders in Trimley? Really? It’s such a shock.”

Another villager, who did not want to be named, went outside to look at the damage last night.

Ipswich Star: Police and forensic services are at the scene of a ram raid in Trimley St Martin. Picture: ARCHANTPolice and forensic services are at the scene of a ram raid in Trimley St Martin. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

She said: “There was a huge bang. It was very loud. It’s very scary.”

Jack Smith drove past shortly after it happened.

He said: “The car was upside down and sticking out into the road.”

While Derrick Edinborough, who only noticed the scale of the damage when he went to post a letter, added: “It’s just a shock to me, it’s awful.

“I hate this sort of thing. Society today is terrible.”

A McColl’s spokesman said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of our employees is of utmost importance.

“This incident happened when the store was closed and no colleagues were thankfully hurt.

“We will be working hard to get our store ready to open to the public as soon as possible once it has been declared safe.

“We are working closely with the relevant authorities in response to this incident.”

Less than an hour after the Trimley store was targeted, a second incident took place at the Co-op supermarket in Lavenham High Street overnight.

Suffolk Constabulary said they are investigating the ram raids as a priority.

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