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An inner city building society was targeted by daring criminals early this morning in the Small Heath area of Birmingham.

Would-be burglars smashed their way into the Nationwide Building Society in Coventry Road but reportedly failed to get away with any cash.

 

Rangzeb Hussain
A section of the pavement on Chapman Road in Small Heath is sealed off as repairs are carried out to the building society

In the early hours of Friday 12th October, a large white van forcefully reversed into the side of the Nationwide Building Society, situated on the corner of Chapman Road and Coventry Road.

The impact resulted in the large wall-sized window of the building to come crashing onto the pavement.

However, despite gaining access to the premises, the criminals reportedly failed to steal the cashpoint machine inside the building and are then believed to have fled the scene of the crime in an Audi.

Rangzeb Hussain
The corner of Chapman Road and Coventry Road in Small Heath where the daring ram raid took place

The building society suffered structural damage during the raid, and the stormy weather caused further devastation to the interior, after the place became exposed to the elements.

The area immediately around the building was left littered with glass, masonry, metal, and other debris following the failed robbery attempt.

Rangzeb Hussain
Metal, wood, and glass litter across Chapman Road from the damage to the building by the criminals

Police have opened Chapman Road to traffic this afternoon but a section of the pavement is still closed to the public due to repair works on the building.

A team of contractors have been clearing away the debris and throwing it into a skip, while new glass and building materials are brought in to fix the wall.

A spokeswoman from Nationwide said:

“We are aware of an incident at our Small Heath Birmingham branch. This happened in the early hours of the morning and no Nationwide employees or members were involved.

“We are liaising with the police as they carry out their investigation. Repair work is underway and we hope to open the branch again as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”

Rangzeb Hussain | I Am Birmingham
The cashpoint machines remain open to customers as repairs continue on the building

The cashpoints outside the building society are open but the interior is closed to customers until repairs have been completed.

West Midlands Police had initially issued a brief statement via Twitter:

“Birmingham West Officers dealing with a ram raid at Nationwide Small Heath. Chapman Road is currently closed. Unfortunately no one in custody but investigation started.”

Rangzeb Hussain
Construction workers clearing the site and throwing the debris into a skip

The force later added: “Police are investigating a ram raid at a branch of Nationwide on Coventry Road in Small Heath today (12 October).

“It is believed a group of men drove a white Transit van into a window just after 4am, before making off from the scene in an Audi car when their attempts at removing the cash machine failed.”

Enquiries continue and anyone who has information is asked to contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, or to call 101 anytime. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please quote crime reference 20BW/234397F/18.

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