News

South African ATM attacks shoot up 61 percent

February 6, 2012

Disarray in the crime intelligence unit and a lack of experienced detectives are being blamed for an increase in ATM attacks in South Africa in the past year, said a news report at South Africa’s news24.com.

A total of 399 attacks took place in 2010/2011 compared to 247 attacks in 2009/2010, amounting to a 61 percent increase at a time when the crime intelligence unit and other police departments were being re-shuffled.

Organized crime syndicates were taking advantage of weaknesses in the policing system, said Institute for Security Studies crime and justice expert Johan Burger. "One huge weakness is the inability to produce usable crime intelligence about syndicates because of internal problems. There is huge disarray at the moment," he said.

Burger said that banks should rethink placement of their ATMs. "To them, ATMs should be client-friendly and easily accessible. Criminals see this as a weakness and exploit this," Burger said.

Many banks, petroleum companies and retailers have taken to installing ATMs inside a building to guard against attacks said Marc Sternberg, systems managing director for Spark ATM. "In-store ATMs have not been attacked because there is a much more improved security profile. There are alarms, closed-circuit television, guards, and locking facilities for after hours," he said. "The bombers or gangs go for street-facing ATMs or exposed ATMs where they can gain access."

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