DEVIOUS thieves cut a hole in a wall to break into a Widnes bank.

Staff discovered money was missing at Barclays Bank in Albert Road on Monday.

They suspect a gang gained access through an empty building next door some time between 2.15pm on Saturday, December 1, and 8.40am on Monday.

Once inside, they stole the base unit for the CCTV system.

DI Matt Durcan said: "This is an unusual incident and the thieves have gone to a lot of trouble to gain access to the bank by making a hole in the wall.

"We are urging anyone who has any information in relation to the burglary to contact us immediately.

“We would also like to hear from anyone who may have been in the area over the course of the weekend and has seen anyone acting suspiciously.

"It is likely that those responsible were making a lot of noise when they were gaining access to the bank so we would appeal to anyone who has been in the Albert Road area and has seen or heard anything significant to come forward."

Anyone with information can call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 155 of 3 December.

Information can also be passed on anonymously, via crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.