Bidhannagar cops begin ATM security audit, night patrol

KOLKATA: Bidhannagar cops have reintroduced the good old motorbike patrolling and daily security audit of unguarded ATMs — especially those within 2kms from VIP Road, Jessore Road, New Town Main Arterial Road and EM Bypass — within their jurisdiction to check the rising incidents of ATM robbery in the city.
“We have time and again asked banks to deploy security guards at the unguarded ATMs.But considering the current situation, we have heightened night patrolling at unguarded ATMs. Police stations have also been asked to prepare a list of vulnerable and unguarded ATMs within their jurisdiction and accordingly ensure strict monitoring of the same,” said Surya Prasad Yadav, the deputy commissioner (headquarter) of Bidhannagar Commissionerate.
On the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, three ATMs — one at Michaelnagar in Bidhannagar and two in Howrah’s Dhulagarh and Bagnan — were cut open with gas cutters. While Rs 10 lakhs and Rs 18 lakhs were looted from Michaelnagar and Bagnan respectively, the robbers failed to pull out the cash from the Dhulagarh ATM. A somewhat similar heist was carried out at a Tiljala ATM on Friday night from where Rs 13 lakhs were looted.
Probing into the case, respective police commissionerates have called for review meetings with bank officials and asked banks to conduct periodic security audits and not rely only on contracted agencies. Cops have also asked for suggestions on how the improve coordination between banking officials and police during a break-in attempt.