ATM in Hadmersleben blown up - police asks for witness information!

ATM in Hadmersleben blown up - police asks for witness information!

Unknown people blew up an ATM in Hadmersleben, in the Börde district. The explosion occurred shortly before four o'clock and was carried out with a previously unknown explosive agent. The ATM was completely destroyed by the detonation and the money cassettes were stolen. The amount of the stolen money is so far unclear. In addition, considerable property damage to the building was caused, which must now be static. Fortunately, the demolition remained without personal injury; Local residents and passers -by were apparently not affected. The police, the fire brigade and the technical relief organization were quickly at the scene, but an immediately initiated search has so far been unsuccessful. The investigation is underway, and the police are asking for witnesses to collect further information 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, the police in Germany registered 392 ATMs blasting, which means a decline of about 5% compared to the previous year. However, the trend shows that more and more perpetrators have used fixed explosives in recent years, such as the 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 in 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.