PSNI Launch ATM Theft Investigation Team

The PSNI has allocated a team of detectives to investigate ATM thefts across Northern Ireland, after seven attacks in the last four months.

Thieves used a digger to remove a built in cash machine from a filling station in Dungannon on Sunday 10 March.

Detective Inspector Richard Thornton said attacks on ATMs cannot be seen as a "victimless crime", given the damage caused to businesses, local communities and their economies.

Detective Inspector Richard Thornton said: "Recently there has been an upsurge in the number of ATM machines ripped from the walls of commercial premises using plant machinery which, more often than not, has been stolen from a nearby farm or building site and then destroyed after each incident. The attacks tend to occur more frequently, but not exclusively, in rural areas, and are a serious cause for concern for us all.

"The idea that ATM thefts are a victimless crime should be completely discounted as these attacks cause untold loss and disruption to individuals, businesses and whole communities, in terms of the loss of very expensive machinery, delays in production, damage to the local economy and the likelihood of criminal finances being redirected back into funding further organised crime or terrorism. Local people who rely upon these banking facilities also suffer as they may have to travel considerable distances to find an alternative banking arrangements and the livelihoods of the business owners who have worked for years to build up their businesses is also jeopardised.

"We have seen seven attacks in the last four months. That is seven communities suffering due to the greed of unscrupulous criminals. We would like to stop them and would ask you to help."

Officers have urged anyone who owns machinery to take the following steps to prevent thefts:

• Secure/immobilise stored vehicles and if practical move machinery from fields when not in use, especially if near a road.

• Never leave keys in machinery and ensure there are storage areas for all machinery left on site overnight.

• Consider fitting tracking devices to valuable vehicles and deter would be thieves by displaying security signs on site to highlight measures in place such as CCTV.

• Report any suspicious activity to police.

DI Thornton said the team are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry in relation to recent attacks, and would appeal to anyone with information that may assist investigations to contact detectives on 101.

Details can also be passed Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 55 111.



(JG/CM)