Call for action after 722 ATM attacks in one year
CRIMINAL gangs using ram raids and explosives carried out 722 attacks on ATMs in the UK last year.
The money stolen and the cost of repairing the sites added up to about £47million, a report found.
Experts also say millions of pounds worth of trade could have been lost as a result of people being unable to use the cash machines.
There’s been a sharp rise in the crime in recent years – 400 ATM attacks were reported in 2014.
Industry leaders yesterday called for longer jail terms for offenders.
Sarah Staff, of SaferCash at the British Security Industry Association, said: “Our members have seen a spike in the level of this crime and the losses are huge.
“The greatest fear is that before long an innocent member of the public will be seriously injured during an attack like this.”
The report was published by the UK’s largest ATM providers, Cardtronics.
Managing director Tim Halford said: “It’s not a victimless crime. We need the Government, police forces, civil society organisations and the ATM industry to take action now.”