ATM ripped out, stolen from Canterbury town post shop

An ATM machine has been ripped out of a wall and stolen from the Darfield post shop in Canterbury in the early hours of Sunday morning. Photo / Facebook

An ATM machine was ripped out of a wall and stolen from the Darfield post shop in Canterbury in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police were called to the South St premises at 7am on Sunday.

A trail of destruction was left at the scene, with the debris scattered across the footpath and car park.

The alleged culprits left a gaping hole in the wall, with parts of the ATM machine left hanging out the wall and on the footpath.

Police told the Herald "the ATM front was later reported to have been found dumped on Cridges Road", and are investigating potential linked between the burglary and a nearby fire.

"Police are investigating a connection between the Darfield ATM burglary and the Porters Pass fire which both occurred yesterday, Sunday 1 September.

"Police were called at about 7am to South Terrace, Darfield, after a report of an ATM having been dislodged from the wall at about 3am.

"The ATM front was later found dumped on Cridges Road.

"Police believe a Nissan Mistral vehicle was involved in the attempt to take the ATM.

"A Nissan Mistral was later located down a bank off the Porters Pass Road within the area where the fire is believed to have started.

"The vehicle had been stolen overnight Saturday from a rural property in Bankside.

"Christchurch Police would like to hear from anyone who has any information about the two incidents."

A Darfield post shop spokesperson didn't want to comment on the incident, but offered an update to residents on their Facebook page and appealed to anyone who saw the incident to contact police.

"The Westpac money located at Darfield post shop is currently out of order until further notice.

"If anyone has seen anything suspicious from 10pm Saturday night until 5am Sunday in Darfield and on SH73 heading west and on any security cameras, please contact Darfield Police."

While a number of locals will be left inconvenienced by the incident, some poked fun at the failed attempt to get away with the cash.

"And they couldn't even get the money. Useless thiefs," one said.

Another wrote: "God there are some thick and dumb idiots out there."