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

Police in the Scottish Borders are hunting three suspects after a dramatic overnight raid in which two cash machines were torn from the wall of a bank and hauled away on a horsebox.

The incident occurred at approximately 03:00 on Tuesday when the Royal Bank of Scotland branch on Eastgate in Peebles was targeted. The quiet market town, known for its scenic setting along the River Tweed, was shaken by the audacity of the operation, which saw heavy machinery deployed in the heart of the community.

According to Police Scotland, the raid was a "planned series of crimes involving stolen vehicles." A grey Audi saloon, a grey Isuzu D-Max pick-up truck towing a horsebox, and a Manitou telehandler all entered the Eastgate area in the early hours. The telehandler, a telescopic forklift, was used to ram the building and forcibly remove the two ATMs before they were loaded onto the horsebox.

The forklift was subsequently abandoned at the scene, left amidst a trail of debris. Images from the aftermath show the bank's windows smashed, rubble strewn across the pavement, and damage to nearby parked cars. The pick-up and horsebox had previously been reported stolen, while the vehicle used to smash into the bank—the telehandler itself—is also believed to have been stolen.

Following the raid, Peebles High Street was closed to vehicular traffic, disrupting the morning routine for residents and businesses. Borders Buses announced that it would be unable to serve the nearby bus stop until further notice, adding to the logistical fallout of the crime. The road remained cordoned off as forensic teams and police officers combed the area for evidence.

Detective Inspector Keith Sinclair of Police Scotland commented on the nature of the crime, stating, "This was clearly a planned series of crimes, involving stolen vehicles, to target the cash machines." He confirmed that extensive inquiries are underway to trace the suspects, with officers reviewing CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses.

Witnesses reported seeing three men, all dressed in dark clothing, leaving the area in the Audi and the pick-up, heading in the direction of Northgate. Police have appealed to anyone who may have seen the vehicles in the hours leading up to the raid or who has any information about the incident to come forward.

The use of a telehandler—a piece of heavy construction equipment—highlights a growing trend in brazen ATM thefts across rural areas. Such machinery, often found on farms or construction sites, can be stolen and used to quickly breach brickwork and steel reinforcements that protect cash machines. The involvement of a horsebox as a getaway vehicle is unusual, though it may have been chosen because its size and appearance could help conceal the stolen ATMs during transport.

Local reactions to the raid have been a mix of shock and concern. Peebles, a town with a population of around 9,000, is unaccustomed to such high-profile criminal activity. The targeting of a major bank branch in the town centre raises questions about security measures for ATMs, particularly in areas where police response times may be longer than in urban centres.

The Royal Bank of Scotland has not yet commented publicly on the incident, but the branch is expected to remain closed while structural damage is assessed and repairs are made. The loss of the cash machines also means a temporary reduction in cash access for residents and visitors, though alternative banking facilities may be available nearby.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of ATM attacks in Scotland and across the UK. In recent years, criminal gangs have increasingly used heavy machinery, gas explosions, and even cutting equipment to access cash. While overall ATM crime has declined due to improved security and reduced cash usage, high-value raids continue to occur, often in rural or isolated locations where criminals believe they can operate with less risk of immediate detection.

Police Scotland has urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity, particularly the movement of heavy plant machinery or unusual vehicle combinations late at night. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland or Crimestoppers anonymously.

The clean-up operation in Peebles continues, with the High Street remaining closed to vehicles. Structural engineers are assessing the damage to the bank building while police forensic teams gather evidence. The abandoned telehandler, a key piece of evidence, has been examined and will form part of the investigation into the theft and subsequent use of the equipment.

As the town returns to some semblance of normality, the raid serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by rural communities and financial institutions. The audacity of the crime—using stolen heavy machinery to rip cash machines from a building in the dead of night—underscores the determination of organised criminal groups and the challenges faced by law enforcement in preventing such attacks.

Det Insp Sinclair reiterated his appeal for witnesses, stating, "Officers are working through CCTV from the area and speaking to witnesses. I would urge anyone with information, or anyone who saw any of the vehicles, to get in touch." The investigation remains active, with detectives pursuing multiple lines of inquiry in what is clearly a meticulously planned operation.

For the residents of Peebles, the morning's events have left a sense of unease, but also a resolve to support the police in bringing those responsible to justice. The town's resilience, however, will be tested as the full impact of the raid—both financial and psychological—becomes clearer in the days ahead.