This story is from March 26, 2019

ATM: Any Time Money For Criminals?

Delhi Police is planning to conduct a citywide security audit of banks and ATM kiosks after a spate of incidents in which criminals uprooted the machines and stole around Rs 61 lakh in the past one week.
ATM: Any Time Money For Criminals?
Representative image
NEW DELHI: Delhi Police is planning to conduct a citywide security audit of banks and ATM kiosks after a spate of incidents in which criminals uprooted the machines and stole around Rs 61 lakh in the past one week.
1

On March 19, a gang uprooted an ATM of Corporation Bank containing approximately Rs 31 lakh in Uttam Nagar and fled with it. Early on Saturday, another ATM was removed by a gang using gas cutters in Bamnoli village in southwest Delhi.
The machine contained about Rs 30 lakh. In both the incidents, the kiosks were found lacking in adequate security measures. On Sunday evening, miscreants targeted an ATM in Kanjhawala. Police said though they couldn’t steal cash from the machine, they damaged its foundation.
After the sensational bank robbery in Khaira village last October, police had issued guidelines for banks to avoid such incidents. As part of the security check, police have started training security guards of the banks. Cops are also identifying vulnerable spots where banks and ATMs are easy targets due to lax security measures.
The guidelines accessed by TOI point out that the foundation of ATMs should be strengthened with concrete to make them difficult to uproot. In most of the cases where the machines were taken away, they were found fixed to the ground with nuts and bolts. Police had also advised installation of high quality CCTV cameras at multiple locations to identify suspects.
“CCTV cameras should be installed at a proper height. Also, hidden cameras should be used. A two-way communication system should be installed connecting to the branch to monitor a person who stays inside the ATM kiosk for more than five minutes,” say the guidelines, adding that banks should preserve the footage for 90 days.

In January, a man had entered an ATM kiosk in Bawana at night and tied a rope around the machine to uproot it. The ATM was being monitored with a two-way communication system. The bank control room officials threatened the accused and alerted police, which resulted in the man fleeing the spot.
Bank managers had been advised to install a hotline in their office connecting them with their area police station in case of an emergency, apart from a secret bell connected to the neighbouring building. Cops had met bank officials and advised them that the location of security guards with loaded weapons must be identified and they should only be used for the duties assigned.
Senior police officers, however, said that the guidelines have not been implemented. A major reason listed by police is that the ATMs are insured and banks recover the losses in case of a mishap. “With banks getting back money from insurance companies, only the investigating teams are left hunting for the accused,” an officer added.
author
About the Author
Sidharth Bhardwaj

I am an alumnus of the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai and currently working as a reporter with Goa bureau of the Times of India. Have a keen interest in international affairs, defence and politics. Fan of Arsenal football club.

End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA