Crimestoppers
Fearless - Our Youth Service
80%of attacks result in no cash being stolen
Up to4.5months for an ATM to be reopened
13.5mcash withdrawals prevented due to ATM attacks over the last 12 months
We're running a campaign alongside Cardtronics, the UK’s largest ATM deployer, highlighting that attacks on ATM machines cause damage not just to local businesses and buildings, but also to communities as a whole.
It is often the elderly and vulnerable in our communities who suffer the most when cash machines are damaged or destroyed during an attempted robbery as these groups are least likely to be able to travel to another machine to gain access to cash.
New figures show the number of attacks on ATMs has doubled over the past four years. It’s estimated that the cost of ATM attacks to communities over the past 12 months is around £150m. This counters the perception that ATM attacks are victimless as new information shows 1 in 4 attacks are carried out in a community with only one or no bank branch. The effects can be devastating, especially for those who have mobility problems, are disabled or without transport to be able to travel further afield in the aftermath of cash machines being damaged.
This type of crime is nationwide - see below for examples:
Since we were established over 30 years ago, our charity has always kept its promise of anonymity to everyone who uses our service.
Our UK Contact Centre is staffed by professionals and no one will ever know you contacted us.
It is often the elderly and vulnerable in our communities who suffer the most when cash machines are damaged or destroyed during an attempted robbery as these groups are least likely to be able to travel to another machine to gain access to cash.
This type of crime is nationwide - see below for examples:
In Yorkshire a gang of criminals were recently jailed for more than 35 years in total for a number of connected crimes including a series of ATM attacks. The gang was convicted for knife crime, drug supply and rearming weapons. Once convicted, over £155,000 cash was recovered, along with a number of weapons, ammunition and heroin.
An organised criminal gang was jailed recently for attacking ATMs in a month-long campaign that caused over £200,000 worth of damage to petrol stations in London and the Home Counties. These reckless attackers used gas in an attempt to blow up the ATMs, completely disregarding the potential consequences to human life that could have ensued had the explosion ignited the petrol. Four members of the criminal gang were captured by flying squad police officers who were called in specifically to investigate the gang. They are now serving a combined sentence of 43 years for their actions.
In 2016, Glastonbury was set to be left with no banking facilities after the last bank in town left the area. Cardtronics stepped in and provided two new free to use ATMs. According to our research up to 12 million Brits said they would shop somewhere other than their local high street if they were not able to withdraw money. This explains why shop owners were extremely relieved by the installation of the new cash machines. Locals were also reassured, saying that cash machines are a vital amenity required in their town.
A gang of three criminals targeted 23 cash machines across the country using gas in an attempt to gain access to the money. Their three-month long campaign created nearly £1m in damage to properties and business from Northamptonshire to Gloucestershire and Hertfordshire. The attacks included two petrol stations and many nearby residents reported that the explosions “shook their homes”. In one particular attack a member of the public was particularly lucky to escape uninjured when an attack took place on a machine located directly underneath their first-floor flat.
"ATM crime is not victimless, it has an effect on the individuals, business and the wider community who heavily rely on their services.
"Despite the fact that up to 4 out of 5 ATM attacks result in no money being stolen, the attack means that the cash machine can be out of action for weeks, denying local residents of access to local banking, harming businesses on our high streets.
"Criminals are often known to use the proceeds of their crime to fund drug and firearms trade. The growing number of attacks over the last year is particularly alarming to people and companies in rural areas as the knock-on effect is so much more damaging."
Since we were established over 30 years ago, our charity has always kept its promise of anonymity to everyone who uses our service."Despite the fact that up to 4 out of 5 ATM attacks result in no money being stolen, the attack means that the cash machine can be out of action for weeks, denying local residents of access to local banking, harming businesses on our high streets.
"Criminals are often known to use the proceeds of their crime to fund drug and firearms trade. The growing number of attacks over the last year is particularly alarming to people and companies in rural areas as the knock-on effect is so much more damaging."
If you have information about people who are involved in this crime, please contact us 100% anonymously via our quick and easy online form or by calling freephone 0800 555 111.
Our UK Contact Centre is staffed by professionals and no one will ever know you contacted us.
