Tackle ATM Gang, Says MLA

As news emerged that a reward for catching crooks targeting cash machines has been offered, an MLA is urging the police to actively pursue the criminals.

A 'bounty' of up to £25,000 is being offered for anyone who can help catch those responsible for a spate of cash machine thefts in NI.

The move, by LINK, the operator of the UK's cash machine network, comes just hours after an MLA pleaded for action against the gang - or gangs - behind a series of daring digger-robberies of automated teller machines (ATMs).

According to an MLA, the PSNI should set up a special task force to tackle the growing problem of ATM raids.

Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott said: "All these robberies which have occurred mostly in border areas, Moy, Newtownbutler, Fintona, Dungannon, Ardboe and Warrenpoint have a number of things in common, in that mechanical diggers are often used and in close proximity to the border.

Mr Elliot, (pictured), said: "I have genuine fears that these criminals could well have a close association with dissident republicans and are helping to fund their terrorist campaign."

He said that the police need to tackle the growing problem of these ATM raids, after thieves used a digger to steal a cash machine from the forecourt of a filling station in Dungannon.

The theft took place at the premises on the Ballygawley Road in the early hours of Wednesday.

Police said they believed the robbers escaped in a van towing a trailer and have appealed for witnesses.

There have been a spate of robberies in recent weeks in which gangs have used diggers to demolish walls and steal cash machines.

Last month, there were three similar incidents in the space of just four days.

On October 18, six hooded men stole an ATM, containing a substantial amount of money, from a filling station at Upper Dromore Road in Warrenpoint.

A digger was also used during the robbery in Warrenpoint.

Police believe the ATM was then loaded onto a white pick-up truck and driven away.

A similar attempt was made at Charlemont Street in Moy, Co Tyrone, two days later.

The following day, October 21, thieves used a digger to try to steal a cash machine from outside a shop in Ardglass, Co Down.

The ATM had been removed from the wall but was left at the scene.

The digger used in the attempted theft had been stolen from a nearby construction site.

Last night, the Stormont Assemblyman said that £100,000s may be stolen and "something must be done to improve the security for owners of premises where these ATM machines are installed and have these criminal gangs apprehended".

Mr Elliot commented that, in many instances, the premises are nearly destroyed and said: "These criminals are not just stealing from small businesses but they are depriving the local community who rely on these machines for cash withdrawals and in many cases the premises are forced to close such is the extent of the damage".

"I fear that if something is not urgently undertaken by PSNI then further attacks will take place and many banks will seriously consider installing machines in the future," he concluded.

See: ATM Robbery Bid Fails

(BMcC/KMcA)