Police and Retail NI tackle rise in ATM robberies

A Retail NI delegation met with the PSNI at Musgrave Street Station this morning to discuss the ongoing problem of ATM robberies on local retailers.

The meeting follows a series of cash machine thefts in Down, Antrim and Tyrone over the last six months. Last week the PSNI announced that a dedicated task force has been set up to deal with the problem.

Detective Chief Inspector David Henderson said: “PSNI understands the impact on a community, and the cost to a business targeted by criminals who go to considerable lengths to steal ATMs. Not only does this type of crime have a considerable impact on communities, but there is also a price to be paid by the business targeted.

“Over the last six months (September 2018 – February 2019), we have had six reports of ATM thefts across Northern Ireland. At this time, it appears there is no specific geographic area at more risk to another with ATM thefts having taken place in Killyclogher, Omagh, Moira and Ballyclare during this six-month time period.

“However, we are investigating the possibility these incidents may be linked at this time as each incident has followed a very similar process of targeting premises, before using plant machinery to remove ATMs from the exterior façade. This has caused significant damage to the property, as well as causing disruption to the business targeted and the local community. I want to reassure the public and business community, PSNI is working hard to identify those involved in this type of crime, liaising with retailers and banks.”

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts met with the PSNI this morning. Mr Roberts urged the PSNI to ensure that resources are put in place to tackle this problem. He said: “These robberies have cost our members hundreds of thousands of pounds and the criminal gangs behind them belong behind bars for a very long time. We are satisfied that the PSNI is taking this issue very seriously at a senior and strategic level.

“There is now a perfect storm of problems around rural ATMs. In addition to the robberies, because the Assembly is down, many of our rural members have lost their rate relief on their ATMs, costing them a staggering £150k. Our members also now have a new added transaction charge by the main supplier of the machines.

“With so many bank branch closures, our members provide an invaluable service to many rural communities to access cash with their ATMs. Unless we see a crack down on the robberies, a restoration of the rate relief and resolution on the transaction charge, many rural areas of Northern Ireland could be ATM free zones which will have a negative impact upon consumers and rural communities.”