POLICE have arrested two men following a spate of cash machine attacks across South Gloucestershire.

The men, aged 23 and 26, both from Henbury in Bristol, were arrested on suspicion of burglary and have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

The men were arrested following six attacks on ATMs between September and October this year.

The attacks took place across Bristol and South Gloucestershire and are believed to include the attack on Barclays bank in Thornbury and McColls newsagents in Severn Beach. Gas bottles were used in both attacks in an attempt to blow up the machines.

Acting Detective Sergeant Andrew Jones said: “We’re continuing to carry out a detailed and thorough investigation into a number of incidents in which offenders have targeted cashpoints across the force area in recent months.

“While we have arrested one man in connection with five of these incidents we believe there are a number of other offenders out there and not all the offences are linked.

“The success rate of actually getting money by attacking a cashpoint is very low but the various methods used by offenders are becoming increasingly dangerous and are putting lives at risk."

He added: "We have a significant arrest rate relating to this type of offence and we’ve recently brought a number of people to justice.

"Our message to anyone committing or helping someone to commit this type of offence is that they can expect to be arrested and any resulting convictions are likely to attract significant prison sentences.”

Meanwhile, police have also charged a man in relation to an attack on an ATM at a service station in Downend on August 13. The man has been bailed to attend Bristol Magistrates' Court on 12 December.