Burglars have stolen thousands of pounds by drilling their way inside a cash machine in Edgware in the early hours of this morning.

Detectives believe at least two thieves targeted the machine located inside the Western Union branch on Station Road at around 1.30am.

They fled before police arrived.

Officers at the scene spotted a suspicious car nearby which failed to stop resulting a short pursuit during which a passenger tried to flee on foot but was arrested on suspicion of burglary.

The car sped away before stopping on Watling Avenue where the driver ran off but he was detained and arrested on suspicion of burglary, making off from police and dangerous driving.

Officers recovered a large sum of cash found inside a satchel in the car.

Both men are currently in custody.

Detective Sergeant Mark Williamson, from Brent CID, said: “This was clearly a well planned attack on the Western Union. Had it not been for the swift response by Barnet police officers, the thieves would have got away with a significant amount of money.”