ATMs blown up with gas

2006-02-27 14:41

Amsterdam - Dutch banks said on Monday they are to take urgent measures to end a spate of thefts from automatic telling machines (ATMs) by criminals blowing them up with gas.

The ATMs are to be protected by the relatively simple measure of adding a ventilation grill to money machines thought likely to be targets, a spokeperson for the Dutch Association of Banks (NVB) said.

"Wherever possible and where the risk is great, we are working on ventilation grills," the spokesperson said.

The banks are also looking into fitting the ATMs with ink cartridges that colour the notes when the machine is blown up, in much the same way that cash carried in briefcases is often protected.

Dutch ATMs have been the target of a string of attacks in recent months.

Thieves drill a hole into the machine, pump gas in, retire to a safe distance and then detonate the gas, blowing the notes inside onto the street for gathering up.

The technique was imported from France, according to the banks.

In at least one incident a would-be thief injured himself seriously.

An ATM was blown up over the past weekend in the city of Apeldoorn east of Amsterdam.

It was unclear how much money the thieves escaped with. Police found €1 800 on the street, and €22 000 remained in the machine. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA