$200,000 reward for information leading to arrests and convictions for ATM explosions

Minister for Police Tony Kelly today announced that the NSW Government will offer a $200,000 reward for information leading to arrests and convictions for the ATM explosions across NSW. Mr Kelly said that this reward doubles the $100,000 reward put forward by the NSW Government in December last year.

"The whole community is fed up with these idiots who are putting the whole community at risk every time they blow up an ATM. It is just a matter of time before they seriously injure or kill someone as a result of their actions," Mr Kelly said.

Mr Kelly said that he has convened an expanded working group with industry representatives including Australian Bankers' Association, Abacus Australian Mutuals, Armaguard, Cashcard Australia Ltd, an independent deployer of ATMs, Chubb and Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione develop long term national strategies to deal with these criminals.

This working group builds on the group convened in December last year by NSW Police in response to the criminal attacks on ATMs.

Mr Kelly said that there are around 26 000 ATMs in NSW which are owned by banks, credit unions, building societies and independent deployers who supply cash machines.

"This Government is determined to work with the whole of the financial services industry and the Cash-in-Transit industry to develop a collaborative approach in addressing the security of ATM's.

"This is about finding a combination of security and policing solutions that will put these criminals out of business in the future," Mr Kelly said.

"As the criminals evolve we will develop strategies with the financial services and cash-in-transit industries so that the police and the banks can smash these criminal gangs.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said "Police agree with the industry that there should be a risk-based approach to deal with this crime.

"Where this will have most effect is cash degradation. By spoiling the prize any theft from an ATM or cash in transit makes the stolen money worthless."

David Bell, Chief Executive of the Australian Bankers' Association, said: "It is important that we take a risk-based approach on enhancing security on ATM fleets as banks continue to increase security on ATMs."

"Dye packs are one of the security solutions for ATMs in higher risk situations, as well as gas detection and dispersement systems and toughening physical security on ATMs."

"It is very important that we continue to work closely with the Police on this issue and we take a cooperative approach across industry. Unfortunately there is no silver bullet to prevent this crime, it will be a combination of security measures which is the approach used in other parts of the world where this crime has emerged."

Louise Petschler, Chief Executive of Abacus, said: ""A coordinated approach to reducing the risk to the public is critical. Credit unions and building societies will play their part in using a range of security technologies to prevent the crimes whilst supporting the NSW Police as it works to catch these dangerous criminals."

Chubb Security Services Managing Director, Maurie Carr, said: "Chubb is committed to continually working with Police, financial institutions and the industry to improve the security of our employees, custom valuables and the general public."