Thieves stole a large safe containing money and scratch cards from a petrol station in Caterham.

The raiders forced entry to a Texaco garage in High Street and prised free the safe before heaving it into an estate car to make their escape in the early hours of the morning on Monday, January 6.

Police have appealed for information to help catch the thieves.

PC Sylvia Whyman, of Surrey Police, said: "Usually offenders will scope out a potential scene prior to committing their crime and on this occasion those responsible showed some degree of knowledge for the area and therefore I believe they will have visited the location prior to committing the offence.

"If you had seen anything suspicious which you think may connect please contact officers with information as a matter of urgency."

Anyone with information on the theft can contact Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference 45130001121, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.