There were 31 thefts or attempted thefts involving cashpoint machines in Cumbria over the last five years, figures have revealed.

Data acquired by the Gazette under the Freedom of Information Act, shows that between 2015 and 2019 Cumbria Constabulary recorded 31 in the last five years across the county, with nine committed in the worst single year.

Only last year a pair of career criminals and their gang of accomplices were locked up for more than 28 years after a £1m burglary spree.

Brothers Ronald and Brian Thexton were part of an organised crime group which travelled from the north east to steal vehicles, power tools and ATMs from homes and businesses in remote locations in Lancashire and Cumbria.

The gang targeted beauty spots, plant hire businesses and secluded village cash machines.

And in 2019 a cashpoint machine was destroyed in a robbery at Booths in Windermere.

Figures remained fairly steady during the period, with five in 2015, three in 2016, nine in 2017, eight in 2018 and six in 2019.

The month with the highest number during the five-year period was February with seven.

On the ATM offences Cumbria Constabulary have dealt with, Detective Chief Inspector David Cooper said: “ATMs are most commonly targeted by organised crime groups from outside the county. Attacks in Cumbria are rare but typically follow regional trends.

“We work with regional partners to identify such groups and also work with commercial partners to prevent such attacks.”

DCI Cooper is appealing for help from the public. “The public can play their part in helping us catch such offenders,” he added.

“By reporting a suspicious incident or criminal action they could help catch criminals who have no regard for the effect these crimes have on people. Suspicious activity could be a vehicle that appears out of place in the area of a cash delivery – or people loitering around such a premises.”

Anyone with any information that might support officers in their investigations is asked to contact 101 or email 101@cumbria.police.uk