The woman who lives above Nisa in Newport has spoken about the ‘horrendous’ moment a JCB drove into the shop below to steal a cash machine.

Saffron Walden Reporter: The damage to the flat above Nisa in Newport after Tuesday's ram raid. Picture: JO CUNDALLThe damage to the flat above Nisa in Newport after Tuesday's ram raid. Picture: JO CUNDALL (Image: Archant)

A JCB digger was driven into the front of Nisa, in High Street, shortly after 1.20am on Tuesday and the cash machine was stolen.

Jo Cundall lives above the store and was at home at the time of the incident with her dog Bella.

“I was with my dog, it was horrendous,” Jo said. “It’s affected poor Bella as well she’s very jumpy now at every sound poor thing.

“I’ve been offered bed and breakfast - not in Newport where I’ve lived most of my life. I’d have to pay for it myself. This was from Uttlesford District Council who said I’d need a police and fire report to clarify I’d need re-homing.

“I have many friends in Newport who have offered me a bed for the night which is very kind but not really a solution.

“I had a kind donation from the Gaces Acre Trust to help replace part of my smashed up horse collection which was very kind.”

Jo said the cabinet which had the horses inside smashed from the force of the digger driving into the shop below.

“Every room now has cracked walls - quite a lot of damage unfortunately,” she said. “The building is safe, just a bit cracked. The problem will be when the builders and decorators need to get in as I’ll have to move out, quite a lot of work including floorboards.”

The shop owner, Alan Carr, was able to re-open his store just a day after ram raiders caused devastating damage in an effort to steal a cash machine.

In a statement on Facebook on Tuesday evening, the owners of the store said: “Thank you very much for all your support today and kind words throughout a very traumatic few hours.

“Pleased to say our builders, PJM builders, have made the shop safe and will re-open at 7am [on Wednesday].”

A spokesman for Uttlesford District Council: “We have spoken to a local resident in private rented housing seeking temporary accommodation.

“They were advised to check if this was covered by their landlord’s building insurance policy, and if not that housing officers could assist in arranging emergency accommodation for them.”