Security
German police arrest 42 for ATM explosive attacks
March 21, 2023
More than 2,500 German police officers recently participated in an operation in which 42 people were arrested for suspected involved in ATM explosive attacks. The police checked more than 8,000 people and more than 5,300 vehicles as part of the investigation, according to a report by DW.
Germany saw a large number of ATM explosions in 2022: 496 in total. This is a 27% increase from 2021.
"We are convinced that by fighting together and increasingly better-protected ATMs, we can put a stop to organized gangs and break them up for good," Peter Beuth, minister of Hesse's interior, told DW. "I would like to thank all police officers in the federal states for their courageous efforts over the past few days."
Officials pointed out these explosions don't just damage property, they also put civilians at risk.
"Germany must not become an El Dorado for ATM bombers," Herbert Reul, internal minister of the North Rhine-Westhphalia state, told the news outlet. "It is important for us to take action today before people are killed tomorrow in these explosions, or in wild getaway drives."
