Stolen digger repeatedly rammed into Nottinghamshire restaurant

A ‘substantial reward' for information has been offered after a stolen digger was repeatedly rammed into the walls of a restaurant in Drakeholes, Nottinghamshire.

Owner of the Mucky Duck restaurant, Harriot Bolland, appealed for information on social media after telling BBC News the damage caused to the Grade II-listed building would cost around £200,000 to repair.

CCTV footage shows the telehandler being driven into the walls of the building multiple times, just before midnight on Wednesday 27 September.

Bolland told the BBC: "It's all very bizarre. He's rammed straight through the disabled access and has then driven at the building at God knows what speed.

"We have thought about how and why somebody would do this and it just seems that they were desperate to get us shut down - there's no other explanation for it."

Significant damage was caused to the structure of the building and pictures of the aftermath show a large hole in one wall and buckled window frames.

Police have said the digger had been stolen from an address in the nearby village of Clayworth. The offenders did not attempt to enter the building and are believed to have fled the scene on foot.

Detective Sergeant Jackie Price, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "We are at the very early stages of our investigation, but want to hear from anyone with information, CCTV or dash-cam footage which could help with our inquiries.

"The raid has caused a considerable amount of damage to a well-known business and local landmark. We are determined to track down those responsible."

The restaurant has been forced to close but writing on social media Bolland said: "The comeback will be bigger than the set back".

She added: "They will not stop us from getting back open. We are going to work as hard as we can to get back open as soon as possible."

Anyone with information should contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 801 of 27 September 2023, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111

Image: Facebook - The Mucky Duck