POLICE are appealing for information after about £100,000 was stolen from the cash machine at the HSBC bank in Ongar High Street, by thieves who spent hours smashing open the machine from the inside of the branch.

Police believe the thieves may have been active from the early hours of Sunday (at about 3am) until 6am-8am yesterday (Monday).

A police spokesman said it was believed the thieves gained access to the bank at about 5pm on Sunday.

"Further activity would have taken place and the ATM machine was broken into and approximately £100,000 worth of cash has been stolen."

The spokesman added that someone said a noise was heard at about 6am Monday but it was not reported to police. However an item later seen outside the bank "raised suspicions", the spokesman said.

Police want to speak to anyone who drove or walked through Ongar High Street and saw any activity at or near the bank or vehicles parked there between 3am on Easter Sunday and 8am on Monday.

Anyone with any information should ring police on 01279 641212 and ask for the Ongar helpdesk or ring Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.