Raiders 'blow up' cash machine at night in Hillingdon

Wreckage: the cash machine was left battered with pieces strewn over the pavement
Gaurav Sood
Tom Powell14 February 2017
WEST END FINAL

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A “huge explosion” was reported in west London last night after a cash machine was allegedly blown up on a quiet street.

Police officers were called to Ryefield Avenue in Hillingdon at 2.42am on Tuesday following reports of an "attack" on a cash machine.

The suspects had disappeared by the time police cars arrived to find the cash machine blown open, with severed wires and broken metal casing exposed.

Ryefield Avenue was blocked to traffic until almost 8am, while the pavement where the cash machine was located remained cordoned off until 10am.

Shocked residents took to social media to report being woken up by a “big bang” and a “huge explosion”.

The cash machine was located on the street out the front of Neelam Post Office and Convenience Shop.

The store’s owner, Gaurav Sood, told the Standard he had been alerted to the explosion by a text from a neighbour and came rushing straight down to the scene.

“There was a big police cordon blocking the road as if it was a major crime scene,” he said.

“I was worried my shop could have been damaged in the blast. It’s scary that it happened right outside the shop but we are always weary about this sort of thing.

Scene: Ryefield Avenue was blocked to traffic until almost 8am while police investigated
Gaurav Sood

Mr Sood, 35, said his family had been running the shop for 40 years.

“It’s quite a shock,” he added. “When something like this happened it does affect you personally. My mum is shaken up.”

A Met Police spokesman said there had not been any arrests yet but detectives from the force's Flying Squad continue to investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or via Twitter @MetCC

You can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you do not want to give your name.

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