Police investigating the theft of an ATM from a southern NSW hotel this morning (Thursday 7 July) are appealing for public assistance.

Witnesses told police a man forced entry through the glass doors of a hotel in Dodds Street, Cooma, about 3am and dragged the ATM from the front bar to a four-wheel-drive utility parked outside.

The ATM was loaded on to the rear tray of the utility and the man drove off, heading east on Bombala Street.

Police established a crime scene and have conducted forensic examination.

They believe the man could have been injured during the theft as an amount of blood was found at the scene.

The man has been described as wearing dark clothing and his four-wheel-drive utility was dark in colour.