POLICE continue to hunt for ram-raiders who destroyed part of a Hampshire bank in a failed bid to make off with its cash point machine.

Lloyd’s Bank in Bishop’s Waltham re-opened on Monday after it was damaged by a forklift truck which smashed its way into the branch at around 3am on February 4.

The cash machine was removed, but left on the pavement surrounded by rubble and broken glass.

The forklift was also abandoned as three men ran from the scene into nearby Houchin Street.

Members of the community had previously voiced concerns that the branch could close for good following the incident .

Although the bank has re-opened it is not known however, if and when a cash machine will be re-installed to replace the one ripped out by thieves.

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed that there was no update on the investigation into the raid.

At the time of the incident, community leaders said that the falling number of police officers played a part in the attempted robbery after the town’s police station closed to the public in 2012.

Vice chairman of the finance, policy and resources committee on Bishop’s Waltham Parish Council, Terry Wilson, said he believed the reduction in the number of officers in the town had played a part in the incident.

Cllr Wilson said: “Yes the reduction in police officers in the town did play a part in this, I would have thought. In terms of the future, whether the support officers in the town need more help isn’t a question for me to answer.”

Cllr Wilson said he felt sure the future of the bank was secure as it had enough customers in the area.

We have 3,000 homes in Bishop’s Waltham, and with the current local plan still to build another 500, I wouldn’t worry about that. We are very fortunate to have two banks in the town,” he said.

“This was clearly planned, and I have never seen anything like it in my 30 years within the town.”