Reports of a "big bang" were heard as a cash machine was "blown up" in Hillingdon in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday February 14).

A row of shops in Ryefield Avenue have been cordoned off following the incident, which business owners nearby said happened around 3.50am.

The road and shops were cordoned off as the Metropolitan Police investigate the incident.

A resident who lives above the shops said officers cordoned off the pathway at around 3.50am and closed the avenue.

The ATM was formerly a phone box which was converted into a cash machine

It was re-opened at around 7.4am to allow traffic to pass but the remainder of the footpath remains taped off until investigating forensics team is able to take a look.

Post Office owner, Guarav Sood, told getwestlondon he got a text around 3.50am from a resident nearby the shop to tell him what had happened.

“I live a few miles away and by the time I got there, it was all cordoned off by police and Ryefield Avenue was closed off as well," he said.

“The Metropolitan Police have told me forensics will be arriving soon, so the footpath will re-open again.”

Guarav captured these remnants from outside his post office this morning
The ATM was formerly a phone box which was converted into a cash machine

Gaurav, whose family has owned the Neelam Post Office and Convenience shop in Hillingdon for 40 years, said although it’s a quiet area, cash machines have been targeted in this way before.

“It’s not the first time,” he said.

“A few people on the estate have said it’s a group of youths. We’ll see what the police find.”

One Twitter user reported hearing a "big bang" in the middle of the night.

Gaurave Sood sent in the picture which shows the aftermath after the ATM was exploded

The Metropolitan Police said it was called to the scene at 2.42am to reports of an attack on a cash machine in Ryefield Avenue.

A spokesman told getwestlondon: “On arrive of police the suspects were found to have made off.

“No arrests at this time. Detectives from the Met’s Flying Squad investigate.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 or via Twitter @MetCC

You can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you do not want to give your name.

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