POLICE are hunting the raiders responsible for another burglary at a Co-operative store – one of six raids at the stores since the beginning of the year.

Since the start of the year there have been six raids on branches in Llangollen, Cefn Mawr and Cross Lanes, Wrexham.

And the Co-op says it is now reviewing security at all its stores nearby.

Police are now appealing for witnesses following the burglary at the branch in Bedwell Road, Cross Lanes, from where a large amount of cash was stolen from the ATM machine.

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “Thieves broke into the premises through the shutters, between 12.30pm and 1am on Wednesday, July 13.

“They broke into the shop’s ATM machine and stole a considerable amount of money.

“Officers are studying CCTV footage, which shows five males making off in a dark coloured Audi RS4 towards Holt.

“Police believe two or three cars may have passed the scene of the burglary in progress and are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.”

A spokesman for the Co-operative said: “An incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, July 13 at our Co-operative Food store at Cross Lanes, Wrexham, when intruders entered the building and stole a quantity of cash.

“Damage was caused to the front of the store, but the store was able to open as usual that morning.

“Security measures are being reviewed at the store and CCTV footage has been given to the police.

“As with any incident such as this, we would appeal for anyone with information to come forward.”

The Co-op burglaries began last January when two men armed with a knife burst into the store in Regent Street, Llangollen, but fled empty handed when confronted by a staff member.

In May at Caernarfon Crown Court two men were each jailed for four-and-a-half years after they pleaded guilty to robbery at the store and possessing a kitchen knife.

The same branch was raided three more times over the following few months.

On March 13 a quantity of alcohol was stolen and a few weeks later cigarettes were taken.

Cigarettes were also taken during another robbery in early April.

On July 15 there was a break-in at the Co-op in Cefn Mawr when thousands of pounds of cigarettes were taken after robbers smashed their way through a rear wall to gain entry.

The Co-operative spokesman added: “Whenever there is a robbery at one of our stores we review security not just at the store affected but also at others in the area, which has happened in this case.”

A spokesman for North Wales Police said the burglaries were not being linked.