ATM blown up in Hadmersleben – police ask for information from witnesses!

ATM blown up in Hadmersleben – police ask for information from witnesses!

Unknown people blew up an ATM in Hadmersleben, in the Börde district, on Monday morning. The explosion occurred shortly before four o'clock and was carried out using a previously unknown explosive device. The ATM was completely destroyed by the blast and the cash boxes were stolen. The amount of money stolen is still unclear. There was also significant material damage to the building, which now needs to be structurally checked. Fortunately, there were no injuries caused by the explosion; Residents and passers-by were apparently not affected. The police, fire brigade and the technical relief organization were quickly at the scene, but a search that was launched immediately has so far been unsuccessful. The investigation is ongoing and police are appealing for tips from witnesses to gather further information, reports MDR.

ATMs are all too often the target of criminal attacks. According to that BKA Perpetrators use a variety of methods, including technological devices such as cutting torches and angle grinders, as well as various explosives. While gas mixtures were often used in the past, criminals are increasingly turning to solid explosives. These attacks often occur in remote locations and at times when there is little customer traffic. The growing trend not only endangers the machines themselves, but also the safety of residents and passers-by, who can be endangered by debris and reckless escape behavior.

In 2021, police in Germany registered 392 ATM explosions, a decrease of about 5% compared to the previous year. However, the trend shows that in recent years more and more perpetrators have used solid explosives such as GDV reported. In 2023, insurers spent a total of 95 million euros on damage caused by such explosions, of which around 20 million euros were attributable to stolen cash. It turns out that for every euro stolen in cash, there are two to three euros of collateral damage to buildings and infrastructure.

To counteract the problem of ATM explosions, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and the BKA have launched an initiative. This aims to strengthen cooperation between the police, the banking industry and insurers and to jointly develop loss prevention concepts. The preventive measures include, among other things, closing the self-service foyers at night, installing burglar alarm systems, video surveillance and the targeted selection of locations for ATMs. The situation remains tense and authorities continue to work to put a stop to this type of crime.