Menu
01/04/2019
Rural Banks Face Closure Risks Amid ATM Thefts- SDLP
The theft of cash machines is a crime that has affected many communities in Northern Ireland recently, with an upsurge in the number of ATMs being ripped from the walls of commuercial premises using diggers.
An SDLP representative has now warned that banks in rural areas may shut their doors due to a spate of robberies.
Eugene Reid's comments come after the latest attack, when a stolen digger ripped a cash machine from a shop in Ahoghill, County Antrim this morning, 01 April. The digger was then set alight outside the Brook Street business.
Mr Reid believes the actions of those responsible is threatening the bank network across such areas. He commented: "In recent years, rural branch closures have made life more difficult for rural communities who are having to travel for miles outside of their local area to access basic banking amenities.
"The SDLP will meet with retailers and the PSNI in the coming weeks to explore ways in which new innovative security measures can be put in place to deter these gangs.
"I would appeal to the wider community to report any additional information they may have about last night's ATM robbery to the PSNI."
The PSNI's organised crime branch allocated a team of detectives to investigate such thefts as a result of the recent upsurge.
Construction firms or those using plant machinery are urged to secure their equipment over evenings and weekends to help deter would-be criminals.
Retail NI has condemned the most recent attack on its member business in Ahoghill. Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said the attack on an independent local retailer is "disgraceful".
He added: "If the criminal gangs behind these ATM robberies are not stopped there is a real danger many rural communities will lose local access to cash. They are attacking local family-owned small businesses which are the backbone of the rural economy, providing an invaluable service to the local community.
"The gangs behind these attacks need to be caught and put in jail for a very long time."
(JG/CM)
An SDLP representative has now warned that banks in rural areas may shut their doors due to a spate of robberies.
Eugene Reid's comments come after the latest attack, when a stolen digger ripped a cash machine from a shop in Ahoghill, County Antrim this morning, 01 April. The digger was then set alight outside the Brook Street business.
Mr Reid believes the actions of those responsible is threatening the bank network across such areas. He commented: "In recent years, rural branch closures have made life more difficult for rural communities who are having to travel for miles outside of their local area to access basic banking amenities.
"The SDLP will meet with retailers and the PSNI in the coming weeks to explore ways in which new innovative security measures can be put in place to deter these gangs.
"I would appeal to the wider community to report any additional information they may have about last night's ATM robbery to the PSNI."
The PSNI's organised crime branch allocated a team of detectives to investigate such thefts as a result of the recent upsurge.
Construction firms or those using plant machinery are urged to secure their equipment over evenings and weekends to help deter would-be criminals.
Retail NI has condemned the most recent attack on its member business in Ahoghill. Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said the attack on an independent local retailer is "disgraceful".
He added: "If the criminal gangs behind these ATM robberies are not stopped there is a real danger many rural communities will lose local access to cash. They are attacking local family-owned small businesses which are the backbone of the rural economy, providing an invaluable service to the local community.
"The gangs behind these attacks need to be caught and put in jail for a very long time."
(JG/CM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 April 2002
Trimble launches Lisburn rural development strategy
"Northern Ireland’s rural communities are an essential part of our way of life and must be encouraged and assisted," according to the First Minister, David Trimble.
Trimble launches Lisburn rural development strategy
"Northern Ireland’s rural communities are an essential part of our way of life and must be encouraged and assisted," according to the First Minister, David Trimble.
03 August 2022
Vigilance Needed To Tackle Rural Crime – DUP
The DUP has called for vigilance to tackle rural crime, following the release of the NFUs Rural Crime Report 2022. The report showed a fall of over 33% in the number of incidents over the last 12 months in Northern Ireland, but that the rural crime in Northern Ireland in 2021 was valued at £1.7m.
Vigilance Needed To Tackle Rural Crime – DUP
The DUP has called for vigilance to tackle rural crime, following the release of the NFUs Rural Crime Report 2022. The report showed a fall of over 33% in the number of incidents over the last 12 months in Northern Ireland, but that the rural crime in Northern Ireland in 2021 was valued at £1.7m.
23 July 2014
£623m Allocated For Rural Development Programme
A budget of £623m has been allocated for the Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020, it has been announced. Rural Minister Michelle O’Neill has said the 2014-2020 RDP budget would be allocated across three specific areas: protecting the rural environment, developing rural economies and competitiveness of agriculture.
£623m Allocated For Rural Development Programme
A budget of £623m has been allocated for the Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020, it has been announced. Rural Minister Michelle O’Neill has said the 2014-2020 RDP budget would be allocated across three specific areas: protecting the rural environment, developing rural economies and competitiveness of agriculture.
17 November 2006
New support brochure for rural enterprises launched
As part of National Enterprise Week 2006, a new support brochure designed specifically for rural businesses called, 'A look at opening your business to new prospects' was launched at Loughry College, Cookstown.
New support brochure for rural enterprises launched
As part of National Enterprise Week 2006, a new support brochure designed specifically for rural businesses called, 'A look at opening your business to new prospects' was launched at Loughry College, Cookstown.
30 August 2013
Appeal Launches Over Rural Crime
The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) has written to all of NI's Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PSCP) to express concern about rural crime. The UFU believe more could be done to tackle the issue. It also voiced its concerns about a possible lack of rural representation on some of the partnerships.
Appeal Launches Over Rural Crime
The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) has written to all of NI's Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PSCP) to express concern about rural crime. The UFU believe more could be done to tackle the issue. It also voiced its concerns about a possible lack of rural representation on some of the partnerships.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
