POLICE are investigating a "potential link" between an attempted theft of an ATM in Co Derry to other thefts across the north.
At least three men were seen acting suspiciously close to a cash machine on the Dunhill Road in Coleraine at around 1.50am on Friday.
A police spokeswoman said: “We believe two of the suspects were armed with suspected crowbars.
"Officers attended the scene just minutes after the report and the suspects fled on foot into a nearby field. Searches got under way to locate the suspects.
"Our investigation remains ongoing and at a robust pace to identify those who were responsible and also a motive."
She added that "as part of our enquiries we are also investigating a potential link between this attempted theft and other reports to police following a number of recent thefts from ATMs across the country".
Earlier this week the public were warned by police to be vigilant following 13 thefts or attempted break-ins at cash machines in just over seven weeks around the north.
Three masked men damaged an ATM in Armagh in the early hours of Wednesday.
