Police are hunting two people who attempted to break into an Aldi with a crowbar.

The attempted burglary happened at the food store in Millennium Way, Lowestoft, at around 2.45am this morning, July 6.

Officers were called to reports that two people were trying to force open the front entrance with a crowbar. Police units were at the scene within five minutes, but the offenders ran off in the direction of the fields behind the store. Entry was not gained to the building.

Officers searched the area using a police dog unit, however the suspects were not located.

A resident who lives nearby dialled 999 after his 14-year-old son heard a loud noise.

He said: 'My son came and woke me up after he heard a noise. He was awake playing on his Xbox when he shouldn't have been.

'I looked outside and I thought something is not right here, so I called the police.

'My son was absolutely petrified. He's been on edge for days because there's been a lot happening in the town.

'It looked like they were going to get inside very soon. You could tell by the way they were moving.

'I said to the man on the phone 'they are not going in for alcohol, they must be going for something bigger.'

'The police got here in a matter of minutes but they must have just missed them by a matter of five to 10 seconds.

'It was quite scary really.'

A black Peugeot 207 was left abandoned in front of the entrance and there was a large heavy duty cable attached to the rear of the car. Due to the presence of this cable, it is believed the offenders were targeting the cash machine inside the store.

Police said the vehicle was stolen from a car park in Quebec Road, Norwich, between Sunday, May 6 and Tuesday, May 8. It was using number plates which were stolen from a Peugeot 308 overnight between Sunday, May 13 and Monday, May 14, which had been parked in London Road, Beccles.

Any witnesses or anyone with information about the incident, is asked to contact East CID at Lowestoft Police Station on 101, quoting reference 37379/18. Alternatively you can contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.