Powys shoppers have shared their shock after a Newtown bank branch was targeted by burglars during an early morning raid on Friday.

The Santander branch in High Street was cordoned off with police tape while officers gathered evidence at the scene and carried out house-to-house and CCTV enquiries.

Dyfed-Powys Police said its officers are trying to determine the scale of the burglary which targeted an ATM from inside the branch between 1.13am and 1.20am on March 22.

READ MORE: Newtown Santander bank cordoned off by police following burglary

Beth Thomas works at a nearby travel agents, and said the burglary was worrying for small businesses in the town.

“You don’t really tend to see these things happening in Newtown,” she said. “It’s shame but it seems like it’s happening more and more often, especially home burglaries, but banks are a new thing.

“It’s not nice. I work in a local business in town and you’re thinking what if it could happen there."

She added: “I bank there so I hope my account is OK. Thankfully, I didn’t need to use the branch today.

County Times: The glass door was damaged during the burglary.The glass door was damaged during the burglary. (Image: Anwen Parry/County Times)

“It is worrying because there are so many small businesses in the town that could be affected by it.”

Eryl Neale, from Forden, said: “You don’t expect a burglary, but they do happen.

"They’ve come out of their way to do it unless they’re somebody local. They were probably coming to look for banks to rob.

“Because there aren’t many banks around, a little rural place like this they’re hoping that there will be and there’s quite a few in Newtown.”

Another shopper, who did not want to be named, added: “I think we’re a bit sleepy down here to be honest. [The thieves] are pretty quick on things.”

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Police have made an appeal to witnesses of the burglary to get in touch. Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police, either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, or by calling 101.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Quote reference: 24000275747.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.