But across Norfolk and Suffolk, ram raiders are doing just that.

Several businesses have been targeted in recent years, with most investigations either still ongoing or being closed altogether.

It has raised concerns that not enough is being done to prevent the audacious crime.

How are investigations progressing?

Nationwide in Beccles was targeted (Image: Iona Goodall)

The most recent example was an audacious raid at Nationwide in New Market, Beccles, at 2.50am on March 4.

A cash machine was ripped from the wall before being loaded into a dark-coloured van, possibly a Ford Transit, that police have yet to locate.

The ram-raiders are still walking free.

Thieves made off with a cash machine

Police were called to SPAR in Vulcan Place, Watton, just before 2am on October 4, following a ram raid involving a stolen telehandler.

An ATM was stolen from the Subway section of the store.

The suspects fled the scene before officers got there, but an investigation led them to Thetford Forest, where two vehicles, a flat-bed transit van and a VW Golf, were found burnt out. 

A police spokeswoman has since confirmed that "all lines of enquiry have been exhausted and the case has been closed".

Tesco, Thorpe St Marriott

The aftermath of the ram raid at the Tesco Express store (Image: Maria Bond)

A cashpoint was ripped from the Tesco Express store in the Square, Thorpe Marriott.

The suspects left the scene in an unknown vehicle following the theft, which happened at about 2.25am on January 20.

An investigation was launched by police, which is still ongoing.

The ram raid happened in 2018 (Image: Newsquest)

Eight years ago, a ram raid took place at Johnson's of Reepham, a post office in Market Place, at about 3.45am on April 25, 2018.

After an extensive investigation, the case was closed.

No suspect was ever caught.

What do police have to say?

When quizzed about what is being done to try and prevent ram raiders from striking across the county, Norfolk Constabulary declined to comment.

Instead, they referred to advice published on their website about the best ways to make a shop ram raid-resistant.

Methods listed included installing external shutters or anti-ram bollards.

But these preventive measures often require planning approval, which is not always easy to obtain.

The advice reads: "External shutters, although effective, may require planning approval.

"Use attack-resistant laminated glass in sturdy frames where possible.

"Alternatively, film can be applied to glass to make it more resilient.

"Anti-ram raider bollards mounted externally can also be used to protect frontages, but may require planning approval."

Suffolk Constabulary was also contacted for comment.

© Eastern Daily Press