THIEVES escaped empty handed after attempting to steal a cash machine from a Kent post office.

Police say two 4x4 vehicles were used in the raid, which took place at around 9.55pm on Friday night at the post office on Home Hill, Swanley.

Three people entered the premises wearing balaclavas and destroyed part of the CCTV system with an axe.

They then tried to remove an internal cash machine by attaching it to one of the 4x4 vehicles with a strap.

They managed to remove the machine from the post office but in doing so a large part of the 4x4 broke off and the gang drove off empty handed.

A 19-year-old woman working in the post office at the time was unharmed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 01732 771055 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.