This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/aug/03/co-operative-atm-cash-machine-thieves-sprayed-traceable-gel-crime
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Co-op ATM thieves to be sprayed with long-lasting traceable gel | Co-op ATM thieves to be sprayed with long-lasting traceable gel |
| (13 days later) | |
| An invisible traceable gel that stays on skin and clothes for years will be sprayed on anyone who tries to break into a Co-operative cash machine as part of a hi-tech initiative to combat ATM crime. | An invisible traceable gel that stays on skin and clothes for years will be sprayed on anyone who tries to break into a Co-operative cash machine as part of a hi-tech initiative to combat ATM crime. |
| The Co-op group has teamed up with forensic technology company SmartWater to roll out the deterrent. The gel was invented by former West Midlands police officer Phil Cleary and his chartered chemist brother Mike. | The Co-op group has teamed up with forensic technology company SmartWater to roll out the deterrent. The gel was invented by former West Midlands police officer Phil Cleary and his chartered chemist brother Mike. |
| The technology is being installed at about 2,500 cash machines at Co-op food stores across the UK, after a pilot scheme in 2016 resulted in a more than 90% reduction in ATM crime. | The technology is being installed at about 2,500 cash machines at Co-op food stores across the UK, after a pilot scheme in 2016 resulted in a more than 90% reduction in ATM crime. |
| The Co-op revealed industry figures that showed north-west England was the number one UK hotspot for ATM crime, accounting for almost 29% of attacks carried out between January and June this year. London was in second place at 19%. | The Co-op revealed industry figures that showed north-west England was the number one UK hotspot for ATM crime, accounting for almost 29% of attacks carried out between January and June this year. London was in second place at 19%. |
| SmartWater has adapted the technology to ensure that criminals who attack ATMs, and any cash they manage to steal, are marked with the water-based gel. | SmartWater has adapted the technology to ensure that criminals who attack ATMs, and any cash they manage to steal, are marked with the water-based gel. |
| “Invisible to the naked eye, an amount of gel the size of a speck of dust can provide the solution for scientists to undertake a successful analysis and help police with identification, with the forensic signature guaranteed to last five years,” the firm said. The gel glows neon yellow under UV light and is “difficult for criminals to remove”. | “Invisible to the naked eye, an amount of gel the size of a speck of dust can provide the solution for scientists to undertake a successful analysis and help police with identification, with the forensic signature guaranteed to last five years,” the firm said. The gel glows neon yellow under UV light and is “difficult for criminals to remove”. |
| The Metropolitan police has a partnership with SmartWater aimed at cutting the number of burglaries in London. “As a result, all custody areas have suitable detectors fitted, with prisoners routinely scanned, and hundreds of patrol staff have been equipped and trained to detect it,” said DCI Iain Raphael, Enfield borough commander. “We welcome any crime prevention initiative such as this … Criminals contemplating attacks on Co-op ATMs should take note.” | The Metropolitan police has a partnership with SmartWater aimed at cutting the number of burglaries in London. “As a result, all custody areas have suitable detectors fitted, with prisoners routinely scanned, and hundreds of patrol staff have been equipped and trained to detect it,” said DCI Iain Raphael, Enfield borough commander. “We welcome any crime prevention initiative such as this … Criminals contemplating attacks on Co-op ATMs should take note.” |
| The Co-op said the technology was effective regardless of how a cash machine was targeted. It added that gas attacks – where gas was piped into the machine from cylinders and ignited from a distance – were in decline. | The Co-op said the technology was effective regardless of how a cash machine was targeted. It added that gas attacks – where gas was piped into the machine from cylinders and ignited from a distance – were in decline. |
| ATM raids involving a saw or angle grinder are most common in the north-west, while black box attacks are a particular problem in London. The latter involves an unauthorised device being fitted to cash machines that causes them to dispense all their cash. Another method involves thieves trying to remove an ATM with a rope or heavy machinery such as a digger. | ATM raids involving a saw or angle grinder are most common in the north-west, while black box attacks are a particular problem in London. The latter involves an unauthorised device being fitted to cash machines that causes them to dispense all their cash. Another method involves thieves trying to remove an ATM with a rope or heavy machinery such as a digger. |
| Chris Whitfield, director of retail and logistics at the Co-op, said: “ATM crime impacts customers and communities – it can also have a disproportionate impact on rural police force areas where cash dispensers are more of a lifeline for residents and the local economy.” | Chris Whitfield, director of retail and logistics at the Co-op, said: “ATM crime impacts customers and communities – it can also have a disproportionate impact on rural police force areas where cash dispensers are more of a lifeline for residents and the local economy.” |
| Co-operative Group | Co-operative Group |
| Retail industry | Retail industry |
| Banking | Banking |
| Crime | Crime |
| Police | Police |
| Supermarkets | Supermarkets |
| news | news |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |