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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Thieves use digger to steal ATM | Thieves use digger to steal ATM |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Thieves have used a digger to steal a cash machine from the front wall of a supermarket in Kells, County Antrim. | Thieves have used a digger to steal a cash machine from the front wall of a supermarket in Kells, County Antrim. |
| The ATM was ripped out of the shop on Main Street in the village at about 0300 GMT on Friday, causing substantial damage. | The ATM was ripped out of the shop on Main Street in the village at about 0300 GMT on Friday, causing substantial damage. |
| The thieves set the digger on fire outside the shop before making their escape. | The thieves set the digger on fire outside the shop before making their escape. |
| Police said Main Street had been closed due to the ongoing investigation and to allow for the digger to be removed. | Police said Main Street had been closed due to the ongoing investigation and to allow for the digger to be removed. |
| Last month, thieves failed in an attempt to steal an ATM from a filling station in nearby Ahoghill, also using a digger. | Last month, thieves failed in an attempt to steal an ATM from a filling station in nearby Ahoghill, also using a digger. |
| The digger, which was stolen from building premises a short distance from the station, was used to destroy a wall around the ATM. | The digger, which was stolen from building premises a short distance from the station, was used to destroy a wall around the ATM. |
| However, the machine was alarmed and the thieves fled empty-handed. | However, the machine was alarmed and the thieves fled empty-handed. |
| Since March, there have been 16 thefts of ATMs across Northern Ireland - with the machines being physically removed. | Since March, there have been 16 thefts of ATMs across Northern Ireland - with the machines being physically removed. |
| Strategy | Strategy |
| A number of the thefts - although not all - have involved the use of diggers or other heavy machinery. | A number of the thefts - although not all - have involved the use of diggers or other heavy machinery. |
| A reward of up to £25,000 is being offered for anyone who can help catch the criminals targeting cash machines in Northern Ireland. | A reward of up to £25,000 is being offered for anyone who can help catch the criminals targeting cash machines in Northern Ireland. |
| The money has been offered by Link, the operator of the UK's cash machine network. | The money has been offered by Link, the operator of the UK's cash machine network. |
| DUP assembly member Ian Paisley jr said a strategy is needed to tackle the spate of thefts. | DUP assembly member Ian Paisley jr said a strategy is needed to tackle the spate of thefts. |
| "Where there is no CCTV, the ATM owners, the banks, should install CCTV as a priority," he added. | "Where there is no CCTV, the ATM owners, the banks, should install CCTV as a priority," he added. |
| "Secondly, all ATM machines should be fitted with an electronic tracking device and finally all ATM machines should have dye inside them that if disrupted sprays onto the money rendering it useless to the robbers." |