Cashpoint target of makeshift bomb

Photo: Harry Potts

FIRE crews investigating a suspicious device at the Gulf Service Station.

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AN attempt to blow up a cash machine on a petrol station forecourt caused chaos on the roads around Stalybridge yesterday.

The area around the Gulf Service Station, in Huddersfield Road, was sealed off after a staff member discovered a "suspicious device" connected to the cashpoint.

Police and fire crews descended on the garage in the Copley area and closed the road for several hours to investigate the device - which consisted of a gas canister, cable and car battery - and make it safe. The GMP police helicopter was also brought in to help the investigation.

A GMP spokeswoman said: "Officers were called after a suspicious device was found at a cash machine on Huddersfield Road. Officers are working with the fire service at present. Huddersfield Road was been closed off for investigations."

She added that police officers are now studying CCTV of the forecourt area. The road reopened at around 10am.

A spokesman for Certas Energy, which owns the Gulf, said: "The Gulf branded site in Stalybridge was shut for whilst the authorities attended the site to investigate a suspicious package. The operator of the site worked closely with the authorities, supported by our Gulf team and the site was re-opened as quickly. "

It's the second time the garage has been targeted in this way. Robbers blew up and destroyed a cash machine on the site last September with witnesses reporting cash being blasted up into the air.