More and more explosions at ATMs: “It’s the modern bank robberies”
According to Europol, the number of explosions at ATMs in Europe is increasing dramatically. The explosives used are also becoming heavier and more dangerous.
“Extremely high-explosive explosives are being used more and more frequently, even bringing down buildings and killing innocent people,” said a spokesman for the German news agency DPA.
According to Europol, the increase can be observed in many European countries, such as Germany, southern Europe and the Baltic States. Well organized criminal gangs specialize in this type of bombing and often operate internationally.
Increase expected in Germany
About half of the suspects in attacks in Germany in 2021 came from the Netherlands, reports the DPA. Exact figures for the whole of Europe are not yet available, as the EU member states only report cross-border cases to the European police authority.
“It’s modern bank robberies,” said the spokesman. According to Europol, innocent civilians are also increasingly at risk from bomb attacks. The perpetrators are extremely unscrupulous, says the spokeswoman. “They don’t care about people, they only care about money.”
In Germany, where criminals with Dutch nationality are often active, the Federal Criminal Police Office registered 287 cases last year. The year before, when there were many travel restrictions due to the Corona crisis, there were still 268. Another strong increase is expected this year.
Ban ATMs
The same number of bomb attacks were registered in the Netherlands in September as in the whole of last year. Amsterdam in particular was hit by violent explosions in residential areas.
According to Amsterdam Mayor Halsema, the municipality has been working to remove ATMs from facades in risky locations around the city for some time. A municipality cannot legally do this. At the moment, the municipality cannot force banks to remove ATMs, but the mayor wants that authority.
Source: NOS
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