Large hole smashed into side of Lady Lane petrol station in Hadleigh during overnight ram raid

An overnight ram raid inflicted huge damage to a petrol station in Hadleigh, which was targeted for the second time.

A stolen white Nissan Primastar van smashed into the side of the Londis service station in Lady Lane in the early hours of this morning, in order to remove a safe from the office.

Suffolk Police was called out at shortly after 3.10am, before arriving to find the safe left behind, the cash stolen from within, and the van gone without a trace.

A cordon remains in place at the scene while an investigation is carried out, and it is understood the station will remain closed for the rest of today.

Officers later recovered a Nissan matching the description of the one used in the burglary, after receiving a call soon after 4.15am, of a van on fire at Gippeswyk Park in Ancaster Road, Ipswich.

It is believed that the vehicle was previously stolen from outside an an address in Martens Lane, Polstead, on Thursday, June 27, when a theft of a van containing various tools was reported to have occurred between 1.40pm and 2.15pm.

This is the second time the Lady Lane petrol station was struck in a ram raid, following a similar incident back in February 2017, when the front of the business was smashed open, before two men in balaclavas, coats and gloves stole cash and cigarettes.

A police spokesperson said officers would now like to hear from anybody with information about the latest ram raid, the subsequent vehicle fire or the earlier theft.

If you can help, contact South CID at Landmark House by calling 101, quoting the incident reference number 37/38934/19 for the ram raid, or 37/37333/19 for the van theft in Polstead.

Alternatively, telephone the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555111.