THESE dramatic pictures show the moments when ram raiders forced their way into a supermarket in Pontymister and stole a cash machine.

The incident, which happened at the Kwik Save store in the early hours of Wednesday, was caught on the shop's own security cameras.

The raiders, wearing balaclavas, drove a jeep through the entrance of the supermarket, which caused thousands of pounds of damage.

They had cut through anti-ram-raid bollards around the store's entrance before they drove the stolen jeep through.

They then made off with a cash machine, which had several thousand pounds inside. Now Risca Police are pursuing their inquiries and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Inspector Simon Powell-Jones said that although the raiders were wearing balaclavas, there may be enough information in the pictures for somebody to identify them. "Our inquiries are on-going and we are pursing several leads," he said.

He said the jeep was stolen from Blackwood the day before the incident. It was left in the store by the raiders, who fled from the scene in a 4X4 vehicle.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Constable John Lewis at Risca police station on 01633 612391 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.