A GROUP of burglars who were trying to steal a cashpoint machine from a caf in Brentford were foiled this week, when the neighbours, a 24 hour cab company, heard strange noises coming from the premises.

The Delice Express on Station Parade in Boston Manor Road was hit by the robbers on Thursday, March 25, at 7.45pm, after the shop had closed for the day.

However, a driver from the mini cab company, which is based next door, heard a loud noise and noticed that the lights were on through a shared glass wall. He went to investigate but the shutters were down at the front so he went around to the back of the premises. There he saw one man in the garden and another two through the open back door.

He shouted out to them but then went back to his own office to call the police and the caf owner.

The police arrived on the scene and found the cashpoint had been ripped from its location and dumped in the garden. The front of the machine had been broken off, but the robbers had been unable to break into the safe to steal the £3,000 that was inside.

A full police search was made of the area and police dogs were called out, but the suspects managed to escape.

Iinformation to the crimedesk on 020 8247 6118.