THIEVES used an angle grinder to cut through a Metrolink ticket machine and steal cash from inside.

Four men armed with the industrial grinder sliced into the machine on the platform of Radcliffe Metrolink station in Spring Lane at about 11.50pm last night.

They snatched a coin box from inside the machine, although it is not known how much money it contained.

The attack is estimated to have caused several thousand pounds of damage to the machiine, with Metrolink advising customers to buy tickets from the other platform.

In February, thieves used an industrial grinder to steal £1,500 from a Metrolink ticket machine in Heaton Park station, causing £10,000 of damage.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “We would not rule out these two incidents being connected.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.