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Friday, July 03, 2026

Brazen Ram Raid Leaves Oakham Co-op Devastated, Leicestershire Police Appeal


ATM stolen from the Co-op store on Braunston Road, Oakham Rutland Leicestershire Police were alerted to the incident at 2:53 am on Friday, July 3, 2026, after reports that heavy machinery had been used to breach the storefront.

According to police reports, a telehandler was driven directly into the building, causing significant structural damage in a desperate attempt to extract the cash machine. Once the ATM was ripped from its housing, witnesses and authorities report it was loaded onto a 4x4 pickup truck, which was last seen fleeing the scene and heading in the direction of Balmoral Road.

The aftermath of the raid has left a clear trail of destruction for investigators to follow. Debris from the ATM and broken storefront components litter the path from the store along Brooke Road to Braunston where a badly damaged vehicle remains. The presence of this car, coupled with widespread reports on social media from local residents, suggests the suspects’ getaway was far from clean. Several neighbours have taken to online forums to report that their own parked vehicles were struck or damaged as the perpetrators fled the area, adding to the frustration and concern within the local community.

The Braunston Road site is currently closed to the public as a police cordon remains in place. Forensic teams are on the scene, meticulously gathering evidence to identify those responsible for what has been described as a highly disruptive and dangerous act.

Leicestershire Police have confirmed that the investigation is in its early stages and are calling on anyone with information to come forward. Investigators are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who possesses dashcam or doorbell camera footage that captured the movement of the telehandler or the 4x4 pickup truck in the early hours of this morning. Those with information are encouraged to contact the authorities immediately to assist in the ongoing inquiry.


Leicestershire Police Appeal:

An ATM has been stolen overnight from a store in Oakham.

Police received a call at 2.53am this morning (Friday 3 July) that a telehandler had been driven into the front of the store in Braunston Road.

Significant damage was caused to the building as the ATM was removed and dragged away from the scene by a 4x4 pickup truck.

The pickup drove off towards Balmoral Road.

A scene preservation is in place, and our investigation remains at an early stage as enquiries continue.

Officers would like to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed anything connected to the burglary to get in touch.

We would also ask anyone living locally who has a video doorbell, dashcam or CCTV to please check your devices to see if has captured any part of this incident.

You can pass on information by visiting https://leicspolice.link/FhAhj and quoting reference 26000389315.

Alternatively call 101













Braunston Road, Oakham, Rutland, Co-op Closed Following Dramatic Early Morning ATM Theft


Residents in Oakham have been met with a scene of significant disruption this morning at the Co-operative supermarket on Braunston Road, which remains closed following a brazen ATM heist in the early hours of Friday, July 3.

Emergency services were alerted to the incident at approximately 3:00 am, when the shop’s cash machine was forcibly removed from the premises. The raid has left the front of the supermarket with noticeable structural damage, forcing the store to remain shuttered to the general public while investigators conduct their work.

The store manager arrived at the scene shortly after 4:30 am to begin liaising with the authorities, a visible police presence has remained on-site, with official cordons established to protect the integrity of the crime scene. These restrictions include the rear footpath accessible from Kings Road, several members of the public have been ignoring the safety measures, frequently ducking under the police tape. Police are urgently requesting that residents respect these boundaries to ensure both their own safety and the progress of the ongoing investigation.

Despite the significant setback, the store staff have remained on-site, demonstrating a commitment to serving their local customers. Having received their scheduled delivery of newspapers early this morning, employees have set up a makeshift service point outside the front car park.

At this time, there has been no official word regarding when the store will be able to undergo repairs and resume normal business operations. Residents are advised to avoid the immediate area of the Braunston Road Store until the police investigation has concluded and the cordon is removed.




For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area, 

Oakham And Rutland What's On Guide

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Braunston Road, Oakham, Rutland, Co-op Closed Following Dramatic Early Morning ATM Theft


Residents in Oakham have been met with a scene of significant disruption this morning at the Co-operative supermarket on Braunston Road, which remains closed following a brazen ATM heist in the early hours of Friday, July 3.

Emergency services were alerted to the incident at approximately 3:00 am, when the shop’s cash machine was forcibly removed from the premises. The raid has left the front of the supermarket with noticeable structural damage, forcing the store to remain shuttered to the general public while investigators conduct their work.

The store manager arrived at the scene shortly after 4:30 am to begin liaising with the authorities, a visible police presence has remained on-site, with official cordons established to protect the integrity of the crime scene. These restrictions include the rear footpath accessible from Kings Road, several members of the public have been ignoring the safety measures, frequently ducking under the police tape. Police are urgently requesting that residents respect these boundaries to ensure both their own safety and the progress of the ongoing investigation.

Despite the significant setback, the store staff have remained on-site, demonstrating a commitment to serving their local customers. Having received their scheduled delivery of newspapers early this morning, employees have set up a makeshift service point outside the front car park.

At this time, there has been no official word regarding when the store will be able to undergo repairs and resume normal business operations. Residents are advised to avoid the immediate area of the Braunston Road Store until the police investigation has concluded and the cordon is removed.




For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area, 

Oakham And Rutland What's On Guide

Music Bands Live music 2026 Bandstand Cutts Close Oakham Rutland

Oakham and Rutland  Sports and Fitness Events News

UK Town of Culture Oakham Rutland 2028 Bid

Stay Connected with LGBTQ+ Gay Oakham Rutland News Events Advice and Support

Road Closures Rutland Highways 

Discover Oakham

Discover Opportunities with
Oakham And Rutland News
Job Vacancies Oakham Rutland

Security Crisis Deepens at Oakham Town Council Personal Items and Sensitive Documents and a House Plant Vanish


The atmosphere at Oakham Town Council has reached a new level of tension following reports of a baffling security breach. A member of staff, returning from a period of absence, was met with an unsettling sight her locked office had been cleared of all personal belongings, official council documents, and even a house plant.

This incident is not an isolated case. The affected staff member has reported that another colleague’s personal items have also been removed from the premises.

The disappearance of these items follows a turbulent few months for the council, which has struggled to maintain control over its security infrastructure. In an attempt to tighten oversight, the council has been forced to change its locks on two separate occasions following a series of security failures.

The recent string of incidents has sparked widespread concern regarding the council's ability to protect both physical property and sensitive information:

Financial Fraud In a alarming development, a £10,000 cheque was fraudulently drawn against a new bank account. The nature of this fraud is particularly concerning, as the account details were not publicly known, suggesting a significant internal or highly sophisticated external breach.

Data Leakage, the council is also reeling from a massive leak of thousands of emails. The content of these communications has reportedly made for "interesting reading," casting a shadow over internal operations and raising questions about confidentiality and data governance.

The mounting evidence of instability has prompted a response from the leadership. The Chairman of Oakham Town Council has publicly stated that he is "very concerned" to learn of the missing belongings and documents.


For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area, 

Oakham And Rutland What's On Guide

Music Bands Live music 2026 Bandstand Cutts Close Oakham Rutland

Oakham and Rutland  Sports and Fitness Events News

UK Town of Culture Oakham Rutland 2028 Bid

Stay Connected with LGBTQ+ Gay Oakham Rutland News Events Advice and Support

Road Closures Rutland Highways 

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Oakham And Rutland News
Job Vacancies Oakham Rutland

Oakham Town Clerk Resigns Amidst Council Turbulence

By Local Democracy & Public Affairs Reporter  not affiliated to the BBC LDRS

Oakham Town Council (OTC) finds itself at the center of fresh controversy today following the sudden resignation of the Town Clerk.

The Chairman of Oakham Town Council confirmed that he has formally accepted the Clerk’s resignation. While the Council is currently navigating a period of significant transition, the Chairman indicated that the specific circumstances surrounding the departure would remain confidential.

With the Chairman acknowledging the gravity and unusual nature of the situation. Opting for a candid, if unconventional, assessment of the situation, the Chairman remarked that the ongoing drama is "better than an episode of EastEnders."

Reports circulating within the town suggest that the resignation is linked to an incident involving alleged unprofessional conduct. 

It is understood that a conversation involving Councillors Chris Clark and Paul Ainsley, along with an additional staff member, was overheard by members of the public at The George in Oakham.

Allegations stemming from this overheard discussion specifically regarding an alleged unprofessional relationship between two members of staff were subsequently reported to the Town Clerk, reportedly serving as one of his decisions to step down. 

Other allegations of fraud were made by a former Councillor and another member of staff.

When pressed for further details, the Chairman maintained that he could not disclose the full reasons behind the resignation.

Despite the upheaval, the Council is attempting to project stability. The Chairman expressed his well wishes for the outgoing Clerk’s future health and emphasised that the focus must now remain on the Council's ongoing recovery efforts.

The resignation comes at a particularly sensitive time for the OTC, which is currently working to address a series of serious governance failings identified in a recent internal audit report. The Chairman confirmed that the Council is continuing to collaborate with a locum Clerk to implement the necessary improvements and bring the body into compliance with best practices.

Oakham Town Council has issued the following statement:

Press Statement

 

The Council can confirm that a member of staff has resigned from their position.

 

As this relates to a confidential employment matter, it would not be appropriate for the Council to comment on the circumstances surrounding an individual's employment or departure.

 

The Council has appointed an experienced Locum Clerk to support the Council during this period. The Locum Clerk has been engaged to review and strengthen a range of operational, governance and staffing matters, ensuring that the Council's policies, procedures and working practices reflect good governance and support the effective delivery of services to the community.

 

The Council remains committed to the highest standards of governance, transparency and accountability. This period provides an opportunity to review current arrangements, implement any improvements identified and ensure the Council is well placed to meet the needs of residents both now and in the future.

 

As this is a confidential employment matter, no further comment will be made.


For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area, 

Oakham And Rutland What's On Guide

Music Bands Live music 2026 Bandstand Cutts Close Oakham Rutland

Oakham and Rutland  Sports and Fitness Events News

UK Town of Culture Oakham Rutland 2028 Bid

Stay Connected with LGBTQ+ Gay Oakham Rutland News Events Advice and Support

Road Closures Rutland Highways 

Discover Oakham

Discover Opportunities with
Oakham And Rutland News
Job Vacancies Oakham Rutland