“Banks React to Increasing ATM Demolitions with New Security Personnel”

The pressure on banks is growing: increasing number of ATM demolitions and other incidents are endangering customers and employees. New security personnel are to defuse the situation.

Bremerhaven – “We are endangering human lives here,” said senior public prosecutor Bernhard Südbeck tagesschau.de. The accusation against banks: The lax security measures make it too easy for perpetrators to blow up ATMs. The Weser-Elbe-Sparkasse (Wespa) also reports increasing attacks and destruction in recent months and is now reacting with new security personnel.

Dirt, blasting of machines and physical assaults: Security employees are supposed to protect customers and employees

Just withdrawing money for a moment – ​​for this reason, many people regularly go to a bank branch. However, if they are in the wrong place at the wrong time, everyday walking can suddenly become a hazard. Facades that are in danger of collapsing and glass splinters flying through the air: Explosives are increasingly being used, making ATM demolitions a major hazard.

According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the number of blasts reached a record high in 2022: almost 500 machines were blown up. In its own press release, Wespa announced: “Numerous safety precautions are intended to improve the protection of the machines.” Since February, Wespa has taken the following measures, among others:

• Self-service foyers close between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. because: According to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), most crimes take place after midnight.
• Structural changes to the machines are intended to make gas attacks more difficult
• New warning functions and technical aids for tracking and identifying the perpetrators

Across from nord24.de Wespa CEO Peter Klett reveals an escalation of other incidents in addition to the automatic demolitions – also during the day. This includes harassment of customers and employees. In the future, security staff will stand in front of its branches. “We are very concerned that we have to take this measure, but we hope that this will improve the current situation quickly,” said Klett.

Federal Ministry of the Interior alarmed: Round table is dedicated to ATM demolitions

Not only the Weser-Elbe region is affected by automatic demolitions – it is a Germany-wide problem. Rural areas are particularly popular with criminals due to their proximity to freeways and remoteness from police stations. On a Blast series in the Munich area the Sparkasse reacted by closing some branches and ATMs. This cannot be a permanent solution – politicians are also involved in the search for preventive measures.

At the beginning of November, Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) set up the first nationwide round table on the subject of ATM blasting. Various measures were discussed, ranging from night-time branch closures and improved surveillance systems to cash sticking systems in the event of an attack. Interior ministries are now demanding rapid implementation from banks and Investments in ATM protection – with its new security staff, the Wespa-Sparkasse is setting a good example.