Thieves gained entry to the centre on the corner of Thomas Cook Drive and Taylor Avenue sometime after midnight on Monday and stole a substantial amount of money from the Greater and Redi ATMs.

Police said the offenders were well organised and had cut the communication lines of the machines,which meant it was some time before anyone realised a robbery had taken place.

Central Hunter police are liaising with Strike Force Chiver from the Property Crime Squad, to consider the possibility the Thornton robberies are linked to a number of similar thefts across NSW.

Central Hunter crime manager Detective Inspector John Zdrilic said police had appealed to the public for information.

“They were certainly well organised, it doesn’t have the hallmarks of any local criminals,” he said.

“This had a high level of knowledge and expertise.”

Inspector Zdrilic said it was possible shoppers had seen the offenders in and around the complex in the weeks leading up to the thefts.

“Obviously, with the amount of ­planning involved, which was ­significant, we want to extend our appeal to anyone who would have seen anything at the time of the offence, from midnight to 4.30am,” he said.

“Also, anyone who noticed anything suspicious or people hanging around the area in the days or weeks leading up [to the thefts].

“You would think it was not the first time they were there.”

Anyone with information should contact Central Hunter detectives on 4934 0200 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.