Thieves smashed their way into QD Group’s Cherry Lane garden centre at Bradmore near Nottingham last Monday, using a stolen forklift truck to enter the office and steal the safe containing three days’ takings.

The raiders, who also used a small stolen 4X4 vehicle, caused £30,000 of damage to the building. CCTV footage (pictured) caught three masked men breaking into the centre at around 4.30am.

Andy Jeremy, head of commercial operations for the garden centre, told the Nottingham Post: "They bulldozed their way through and that has caused damage to the wall and the roof in the office. They have driven the vehicle into the building to remove the safe. They came in, attacked that part of the building, and left." He said the safe contained "thousands of pounds". The thieves used chains to try to remove the safe and when that failed, they drove the forklift truck into the office.

The centre and its cafe, restaurant and children's play area, has now reopened.

Police said the raiders stole the forklift truck and 4X4 vehicle (both since recovered) from a building next to the garden centre.