16/04/2019

Latest ATM Theft Condemned

A retail chief has spoken out to condemn the latest ATM theft in Northern Ireland which saw thieves rip a machine from a wall in Bushmills, County Antrim.

The incident in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday 16 April, marks the tenth cash machine to be stolen in the ninth incident in the region this year.

A digger and trailer used in the robbery were set alight and abandoned at the scene.

Retail NI Chief Glyn Roberts said the "shameless attack" has left the rural town to suffer ahead of a busy Easter weekend of locals, visitors and tourists.

"The loss of this ATM means that the local community and tourists will be restricted in accessing cash.

"Every single ATM robbery brings rural Northern Ireland that much closer to being a cash-free zone. Regardless of whether they have been robbed or not, many Retail NI members are now considering removing their ATMs for fear of their shops being smashed up.

"Retail NI will be meeting the Policing Board on Thursday to discuss the Police response and what more can be done to tackle this crisis."

The meeting with the Northern Ireland Policing Board will take place this Thursday, 18 April.



(JG)

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