POLICE have pledged to continue tackling the theft of cash machines after a ram-raid burglar was convicted.

As reported in yesterday’s Oxford Mail, Danny O’Loughlin was jailed at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday for smashing into the Co-op in Watlington and hauling out an ATM.

Commenting on the 21-year-old’s conviction yesterday, investigating officer Detective Constable Paddy O’Grady said: “ATM machines are an important local service.

Thames Valley Police is committed to tackling the theft of cash machines, and will thoroughly investigate any such offences and bring criminals to justice.”

There have been at least nine separate ram-raids on supermarkets across Oxfordshire over the last year.

ALSO SEE: Video guide to the ram-raids across county

Police and crime commissioner Anthony Stansfeld said police believe a single gang could be responsible, and said in March that 'the net is closing'.

However, it's not know if O’Loughlin is part of the same gang and at the trial did not give information about his collaborators.