Two Cash Machines Stolen from Royal Bank of Scotland Branch in Peebles

According to BBC UK, two cash machines were removed from the walls of a bank in southern Scotland and transported away using a horsebox during an early morning operation. Peebles High Street was closed to vehicles following the targeting of the Royal Bank of Scotland branch located on the town's Eastgate at approximately 03:00. A telescopic forklift, which was utilized to impact the structure, was discovered abandoned in the street.

Police Scotland has issued an appeal for any witnesses regarding what they described as a "planned series of crimes involving stolen vehicles." Authorities reported that a grey Audi saloon car, a grey Isuzu D-Max pick-up towing a horsebox, and a Manitou telehandler entered the Eastgate area in the early hours. After the forklift struck the building, it was employed to extract two cash machines before they were loaded onto the horsebox. The pick-up and horsebox had been reported stolen, and the vehicle used to collide with the bank was also believed to be stolen and was left at the scene.

Three individuals, all dressed in dark attire, were observed departing the vicinity in the Audi and pick-up, heading toward Northgate. Detective Inspector Keith Sinclair stated that the event was clearly a planned sequence of crimes utilizing stolen vehicles to target the cash machines. He noted that extensive inquiries are underway to locate the suspects, and officers are reviewing CCTV footage and speaking with witnesses. He requested that anyone possessing information or having seen any of the vehicles contact the authorities.

Footage circulated on social media depicted the machines being pulled from the heavily damaged building. One person entirely in black was seen outside the bank while the forklift moved the cash machines. It was visible lifting one machine into the air before it was carefully placed onto the back of the horsebox. The figure outside the bank then moved toward the rear of the vehicle with arms raised, appearing to signal for the forklift to be raised again after the first ATM was positioned.

Borders Buses has announced that it will be unable to operate its bus stop nearby until further notice. A spokesperson for the Royal Bank of Scotland confirmed awareness of the incident at their Peebles branch in the early hours of Tuesday morning and stated they are assisting Police Scotland with the investigation. The Peebles branch is currently closed, and customers are advised that services are available at the Galashiels branch.