PSNI set up special team to investigate spate of ATM thefts across Northern Ireland

Q Newsdesk

Police have organised a special team of detectives to investigate the recent spate of cash machine thefts across Northern Ireland.

There's been more than 7 incidents in the past 4 months - many in which diggers have been used to rip the ATM from a wall.

The attacks have most frequently targeted rural areas.

The most recent incident happened yesterday morning at a petrol station on the Ballygawley Road in Dungannon

(Pic by Alan Lewis)

A PSNI spokeperson said:

“We have seen seven attacks in the last four months. That is seven communities suffering due to the greed of unscrupulous criminals. We would like to stop them and would ask you to help.
 

“I would also appeal to machinery owners to take the following steps to try and prevent thefts: 
Secure/immobilise stored vehicles and if practical move machinery from fields when not in use especially if near a road.
 

Never leave keys in machinery and ensure there are storage areas for all machinery left on site overnight.
Consider fitting tracking devices to valuable vehicles and deter would be thieves by displaying security signs on site to highlight measures in place such as CCTV.
 

Report any suspicious activity to police.
 

“We are following a number of lines of enquiry in relation to these attacks, however, I would appeal to anyone who can offer us any information which could assist us to apprehend those responsible to contact detectives on 101.