As a result of increasing criminal attacks on ATMs across Northern Ireland (20 to date), local cash machine operators have recently been implementing additional security measures at their machines.
Unfortunately, attacks have continued to escalate, inflicting significant damage to the premises housing these ATMs and causing substantial disruption to local businesses and communities dependent on these services.
Although it would be inappropriate to publicise details of specific measures being undertaken, LINK members are working closely with the police and industry bodies to stop those responsible from being able to carry out further attacks on ATMs, or benefit from such attacks, should they occur.
In response to the current escalating activity and in an attempt to decrease the risk of physical disruption to the businesses which cash machine operators are in partnership with, local cash machine operators have also collectively taken the decision to reduce the value of money being loaded into selected ATMs. These reduced limits will remain in place for as long as it is deemed necessary.
Every effort will be made to minimise the impact of these changes and we would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause should customers experience any temporary drop in service levels, but ask that they support our efforts to prevent criminals profiting from this type of crime through this difficult period.
Our priorities remain to continue to provide ATM services to as many communities in Northern Ireland as possible, while protecting our business partners' premises and bank branches.
A reward of up to £25,000 is being offered by LINK, the operator of the UK's cash machine network, for anyone who can help catch the criminals targeting cash machines in Northern Ireland. Information can be given completely anonymously through Crimestoppers, an independent charity on 0800 555 111.
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Media Enquiries:
For more information please contact Emma Porter at the LINK Press Office.
Email: emma.porter@thejjgroup.com
Tel: 01865 343100
Mobile: 07834 234 664
About LINK
LINK is the UK's cash machine network. Virtually every cash machine in the UK is connected to LINK, and LINK provides the only route through which debit card and ATM card issuers can offer their customers reliable nationwide access to cash. All the UK's significant debit and ATM card issuers are LINK members.
Cash machine operators who want to deploy ATMs in the UK must join LINK in order to be able to offer cash to the 130 million LINK-enabled cards in circulation. LINK cash withdrawals can exceed £10 billion per month in value and at its busiest, LINK processes over 1 million transactions an hour.
The number of cash machines in the UK has grown from 36,000 in 2001 to 64,000 today. The number of free-to-use ATMs is at an all-time high of over 38,500. Almost 97% of all ATM cash withdrawals by UK cardholders in the UK are made free of charge.
