WATCH: Police release CCTV footage following Plympton Co-op late-night ram-raid

Police have released CCTV footage as part of an investigation into a ram-raid at a Co-op store in Plympton.

The break-in happened at the Co-op on Glen Road in the early hours of Monday 2 February, with police called at around 1.45am following reports of a burglary.

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Detectives believe at least four people were involved. 

The group arrived in three vehicles, all of which had been stolen from nearby addresses earlier that night.

A John Deere telehandler was used to ram the wall of the store, allowing two cashpoint machines to be removed. 

A large amount of cash was taken, with the telehandler found left at the scene.

Police say the telehandler, along with a truck and trailer seen in the footage, were taken from the Smithaleigh area of Plympton, near Piggeries Farm, sometime between 5.30pm on Sunday 1 February and 1.30am on Monday 2 February.

A Nissan Navara was also stolen from Downfield Drive between 12.20am and 12.30am.

All three vehicles used in the raid were later found burnt out in woodland near a paintball site in Sparkwell, sometime between 1.40am and 4am.

Detective Constable Andrew Trott-Rodgers said police believe the incident may be linked to other ram-raids across the country.

“This appears to be the work of a highly sophisticated and organised criminal gang, and we are working closely with other forces” he said.

Police believe the group used back roads to avoid detection and may have carried out checks in the area beforehand. 

In the footage, all four suspects are wearing dark clothing, with hoods up and faces covered.

Detectives are asking for information from anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in Plympton during the early hours of Monday 2 February, particularly around Glen Road, Downfield Drive, Smithaleigh and the surrounding area.

They are also appealing to anyone who runs an Airbnb, bed and breakfast or guest house and had a booking from four men over the weekend of Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February to come forward.

The full 4-minute CCTV footage is available to watch on the D&C Police YouTube channel.

Residents with doorbell cameras or dashcam footage from the area are asked to contact police on 101 or report online, quoting reference number 50260027042.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website.