Wannabe robbers ripped an ATM machine from a wall in a small Canterbury town, but were not able to get any money out it.

Darfield residents will now have to travel out of town if they want to withdraw money outside of work hours after the town's only automated teller machine (ATM) was smashed out of its shop front. 

A police spokeswoman said they received reports the ATM had been ripped from the wall of the Darfield NZ Post & Kiwibank store on South Tce about 7am on Sunday.  

The front of the machine was later found dumped on nearby Cridges Rd. It was understood no money was taken.

Store owner Donna Hurndell said she had never experienced anything like it in the three years she had owned and operated the store.

A Darfield ATM was ripped from its store front early on Sunday.

"This doesn't happen in sleepy old Darfield – this is something that happens in the movies," she said. 

The would-be robbers had ruined the shop's front and "didn't get any money".

"It's just been a smash and grab and unfortunately the perpetrators have inconvenienced the whole community because now we don't have a money machine available 24/7."

The ATM remained in disrepair on Monday and security had been posted to guard it until it was reinstated.

"I'm hoping that Westpac will come to the party and reinstall it. We'll have to wait to find out what their investigation comes up with ... but hopefully [the offender will] get a conviction," Hurndell said.

Police are continuing to make inquiries into the incident. It is understood no arrests have been made.

Westpac has been approached for comment.