Forklift Used to Tear Cash Machines from Peebles Bank in Daring Overnight Raid

Two cash machines were forcibly removed from the walls of a Royal Bank of Scotland branch in the Scottish Borders town of Peebles during a dramatic early morning burglary, police have confirmed. The incident, which unfolded at approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, has left the local community shaken and prompted a major investigation by Police Scotland.

According to officers, the raid was a carefully orchestrated operation involving multiple stolen vehicles. A grey Audi saloon, a grey Isuzu D-Max pick-up truck towing a horsebox, and a Manitou telehandler — a type of telescopic forklift — were all driven into the Eastgate area of the town in the dead of night. The heavy machinery was then used to ram the bank building, causing significant structural damage, before the two ATMs were extracted from the walls.

Once removed, the cash machines were loaded onto the waiting horsebox, which was then driven away from the scene. The pick-up truck and the horsebox had both previously been reported stolen, and police believe the telehandler used in the ramming was also taken without authorisation. The forklift was abandoned in the street following the raid, where it remained on Tuesday morning as investigators began their work.

Peebles High Street was closed to all vehicles while police cordoned off the area around the damaged branch. Borders Buses confirmed that its services would be unable to stop at the nearby bus stop until further notice, adding to the disruption caused by the incident. Images from the scene showed rubble scattered across the pavement, smashed windows at the bank, and debris strewn across the roadway.

Three men, all dressed in dark clothing, were observed leaving the area shortly after the raid. They departed in the Audi and the pick-up truck, heading in the direction of Northgate. Police have not yet released descriptions of the suspects beyond their clothing, and no arrests have been reported.

Detective Inspector Keith Sinclair, who is leading the investigation, described the incident as a "planned series of crimes involving stolen vehicles" specifically intended to target the cash machines. He confirmed that extensive inquiries are underway to trace those responsible, with officers reviewing CCTV footage from across the area and speaking to potential witnesses.

"We are appealing to anyone who may have seen any of the vehicles involved — the Audi, the Isuzu pick-up, the horsebox, or the telehandler — at any point before or after the incident," Det Insp Sinclair said. He urged members of the public with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward and assist the investigation.

The use of a telehandler to physically rip ATMs from bank walls represents a particularly brazen method of theft, one that has been seen in other parts of the UK in recent years. Such attacks typically require significant planning, multiple vehicles, and a degree of familiarity with the target location. The fact that the perpetrators used a horsebox to transport the stolen machines suggests a calculated attempt to avoid suspicion while moving through rural roads in the early hours.

Local residents expressed shock at the incident, which occurred in a town known for its quiet, historic character. Peebles, a former royal burgh in the Scottish Borders, has a population of around 9,000 and is unaccustomed to serious crime of this nature. The presence of a large telescopic forklift abandoned on the High Street, alongside cordoned-off pavements and damaged vehicles, created an unusual and unsettling scene for those waking up to the news.

The Royal Bank of Scotland branch on Eastgate has not yet commented on the extent of the damage or when it might reopen. The loss of two cash machines will be felt by local residents and businesses, particularly those who rely on cash for day-to-day transactions. In rural areas, where bank branches have been closing at an alarming rate in recent years, the removal of ATMs can leave communities with few options for accessing physical currency.

The incident also raises questions about the security of cash machines in isolated locations. While banks and ATM operators have invested in measures such as reinforced housings, alarm systems, and dye-staining technology, determined criminals have continued to find ways to circumvent these protections. The use of heavy construction equipment to physically remove machines is a tactic that has proven difficult to defend against, as it bypasses many electronic safeguards.

Police Scotland has appealed for anyone with information about the incident to contact them immediately. They have also asked motorists and residents in the Peebles area to check dashcam footage and private security cameras for any signs of the vehicles involved. The investigation is ongoing, and officers are expected to remain at the scene for some time as forensic examinations continue.

The theft of the two cash machines is believed to have netted the perpetrators an unknown sum of money, though the exact amount has not been disclosed. What is clear is that the raid has caused significant damage to the bank building, disrupted local transport, and left the community of Peebles grappling with the aftermath of a crime that seems more suited to a Hollywood heist film than a quiet Scottish Borders town.

As the day progressed, the High Street remained closed to traffic, with police vehicles stationed at the cordon and officers conducting door-to-door inquiries. The abandoned telehandler, a striking reminder of the night's events, was eventually removed from the scene as investigators pieced together the sequence of events that led to the daring theft.

Det Insp Sinclair reiterated his appeal for public assistance, emphasising that even small details could prove crucial in identifying those responsible. "This was a planned operation, and we are determined to bring those involved to justice," he said. "We would ask anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Eastgate area in the early hours of Tuesday morning to get in touch with us as soon as possible."

The investigation continues, and anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland or Crimestoppers anonymously.