Fresh Appeal Over ATM Thefts

Police are urging the public to remain vigilant this weekend following the ninth ATM theft in eight separate incidents in Northern Ireland this year.

The most recent theft saw a cash machine ripped from the wall of O'Kanes Filling Station in Dungiven on the morning of Sunday 07 April.

Police are urging members of the public to alert them to any unusual activity, especially the movement of plant machinery late at night or early in the morning. Detective Chief Inspector David Henderson, who is leading the ATM Taskforce, said: "The key to stopping these crimes and getting ahead of the criminals is you, the public.

"Recent attacks on ATMs are impacting our communities on multiple levels. The livelihoods of our local businesses are being jeopardised by the thefts and they are forced to face the additional costs involved in repairing their premises. The populations served by the ATMs, which are often rural, are being denied access to cash facilities. Farmers and construction firms are suffering the loss of expensive equipment and machinery, a loss from which some will struggle to recover."

Police are continuing to investigate the incidents to date and are actively patrolling vulnerable and high risk locations, however they have reiterated that they cannot be everywhere at once and it is impossible to predict where criminals may target next.

"We need communities to help be our eyes and ears," DCI Henderson continued. "If you see activity overnight in or around building sites, report it immediately. Owners of plant machinery, please secure and lock up your equipment, and please consider installing immobilisers - at least one digger theft has recently been prevented because of one. Business owners, please review your security. Consider installing alarm-linked motion sensor cameras if you don't already have them."

Anyone with information on the crimes is urged to inform police on the non-emergency line 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.



(JG/CM)