Bricks thrown at residents’ houses as they tried to intervene during ram raid

Brave residents had bricks thrown at their houses as they tried to stop a gang of burglars making off with a cash machine during an early morning ram raid.

Police have said the community of Feltwell has been left “shaken” by the incident which took place on the One Stop Store and Post Office on High Street.

Shocked shop worker Sam Fernando was sleeping above the One Stop Store and Post Office in Feltwell’s High Street when it was targeted at 3am this morning (Monday).

He said he heard the chain saw as the gang - who he said were wearing masks and spray suits - forced their way into the building.

In an attempt to try and stop the raiders, Mr Fernando and another person who was staying above the shop shouted at them out the window.

“We were shouting out the window and they threw a brick at the window,” he said. “They did not care about us shouting. One guy threw the brick and the other guys did the job.”

The brick left a large hole in the window.

He added: “I am in a bit of shock. You don’t expect anything like this. You are helpless because you cannot go down the stairs and do anything.”

MORE - Ram raiders steal cash machine from Feltwell post office

Mr Fernando said he saw the brazen thieves, of which he believes there were four, pull the cash machine from inside the shop using a white Audi.

The ATM was loaded onto the back of a small black vehicle.

A resident said the Audi was then set on fire by the gang in the middle of the road.

“It was frightening,” she said. “It was horrible and I was terrified. I could hear the car popping and the heat coming from it was unbelievable. We were worried the car was going to explode.”

Superintendent Dave Buckley, local policing commander for King’s Lynn, said: “What we do know is that suspects have thrown bricks at a number of houses causing damage after local residents tried to intervene.

“The offenders have then set light to a white Audi, which was being used in the incident, before fleeing the scene with the ATM.

“Thankfully, no one was injured, but clearly this has left the local community shaken.”

One resident who lives on the street and did not wish to be named, said: “I heard everything. There were voices and a loud bang.

“I was really worried for my friend as it was so near to her.

“I saw the flames and came out of the house into the street, I shouted to people if the fire service were called and they said yes and the police were there.”

The One Stop had only been refurbished a couple of years ago and the staff are popular among many of the villagers.

Edmnund Lambert, vice chairman of Feltwell Parish Council, said: “They are nice people in there and they do not deserve this.

“Both the shops in the village are busy. A lot of people buy stuff when they go to use the Post Office.”

Police have said they will be carrying out extra patrols over the next few days in the area to provide reassurance.

The High Street was cordoned off while initial enquiries were conducted and was reopened shortly before 12pm.

Witnesses should contact Norfolk Constabulary on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 26 of Monday 16 April.