Thieves blew apart a cash machine and made off with its contents during an early morning raid at WHSmith.
Merseyside Police and the fire service were called to WHSmith on Chapel Street in Southport on Sunday, after an alarm was activated at around 2.10am.
On arrival it was established that thieves had gained access to an ATM machine by using an explosive device.
They made off with an unknown quantity of cash.
Police remain at the scene today, October 25, where forensic, witness and CCTV enquiries are being carried out.
Photos show a police cordon in place outside WHSmith and the Post Office.
A section of the shop window was boarded up after the raid, along with the cash point.
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Detective Inspector Tara Denn said: “This is an extremely reckless way to target any premises, one which puts members of the public who live, work and were passing nearby at risk of serious injury. The damage and inconvenience to the business is also significant.
“We have shown before in successful operations, regionally and nationally, that we will bring to justice those identified in such activity.
“If you saw or heard any suspicious activity in and around Chapel Street at around 2am, or if you live locally and have home CCTV or dashcam, please check and let us know. We will do all in our powers to remove these reckless people from the streets.”
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Anyone with information is asked to contact us via social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC with reference 20000646390.
You can also pass information via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
