FOOD store bosses are offering a £20,000 reward for information after the latest in a series of ram raids.

The East of England Co-op store in Dedham High Street will be closed for the foreseeable future after crooks smashed into the front of the building using a Toyota Hilux in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Despite causing considerable damage to the shopfront, the would-be thieves were unable to escape with anything.

They fled the scene in a different dark estate-style vehicle.

The ram raid is the latest in a series of targeted attacks on Co-op stores across Essex and Suffolk - which has also been a magnet for armed robberies.

Joint chief executive for the East of England Co-op Roger Grosvenor said extra security measures would be put in place and offered a reward for information which leads to a conviction.

He said: “As well as putting in place more stringent security measures across our stores, we are also offering a reward of £20,000 for information that leads to a successful conviction of those behind the recent spate of ram raids across Essex and Suffolk.

“Anyone with information should contact Suffolk or Essex Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 55111 .”

Brazen gangs have been using diggers and other large vehicles to target Co-ops over the last 18 months.

The front of a Co-op in Samson’s Road, Brightlingsea, was destroyed in August last year.

Stores in Great Bardfield and Sible Hedingham were then targeted in September 2016 and May this year.

Cash machines were stolen from a store in High Street, Earls Colne, in September and Weavers Court in Halstead in November.

Mr Grosvenor said the damage to the Dedham store was so severe they would be closed for an unknown period and were in talks about finding a temporary home for the shop.

He said: “We are in conversations with the parish council to find a suitable location within the village for a temporary store.

“In the meantime, our mobile shop will be situated outside the church on the High Street between 8am and 4.30pm, access to essential items.”

Dedham residents who need a larger shop can arrange a home delivery service from a store in Woodbridge.

More information is available at eastofengland.coop/Dedham.