SURREY Police has made a major breakthrough in its attempts to thwart the area’s ‘hole in the wall gang’ after a man was arrested in connection with August’s devastating ram raid at Halifax bank in West Street, Farnham this week.

Officers arrested a man in his 20s last Friday (December 7) morning and remanded him in custody while investigations continue.

It comes just weeks after Halifax confirmed the Farnham branch will close permanently after thieves destroyed its Grade II Listed shop front on August 17 - the latest of a series of similar incidents across west Surrey and east Hampshire.

Waverley Borough Commander Inspector Gary Smith said: “We know that crimes of this nature have caused considerable concern for the public, but I hope news of this arrest demonstrates that we are taking these attacks extremely seriously and making progress.

“Attacks on ATMs is a national issue and one affecting all forces at present.

“We are working hard with all of our neighbouring forces to ensure there is a joined up approach to catching offenders and establish if there are any links between crimes.

“We will keep you updated as and when there is new information to share, and in the meantime I appreciate your patience and understanding while these investigations continue.”

On August 17, police received reports of the devastating raid at around 3am and arrived to find a JCB ‘telehandler’ forklift, stolen from the nearby Memorial Hall building site, abandoned in the middle of West Street.

As previously reported in the Herald, police in Hampshire have also arrested three people in connection with an eerily similar ram raid in Alton town centre in November. On that occasion, thieves ripped an ATM from the wall of HSBC bank in High Street, Alton at around 4am on November 23 - again using a large yellow JCB telehandler digger stolen from a nearby building site and abandoned at the scene.

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed following the Alton raid that two 24-year-old men from Bordon and a 23-year-old woman from Alton had been arrested in connection with the incident.

A spokesman for the force added this week: “All three were released from custody but remain under investigation. No-one has been charged at this stage and our investigation is ongoing.”