North Yorkshire Police is backing a new national campaign to crack down on cash machine crime.
LINK, the UK’s cash machine network, has teamed up with the crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers to offer cash rewards of up to £25,000 for information relating to thefts involving hi-tech skimming devices placed on ATMs (automated teller machine), and also the physical theft of ATMs.
Locally, North Yorkshire Police are distributing the official campaign poster in the vicinity of cash machines at supermarkets, shops and banks around the county to spread awareness.
Deputy Chief Constable Adam Briggs said: “Increasing the awareness of cash machine crime is a vital element in tackling incidents of this nature. The more people who can recognise if a cash machine has been fitted with a skimming device or they have any information about the actual physical theft of ATMs, then the greater chance that the offenders will be caught and brought to justice.
“If anyone has information about suspicious activity relating to cash machines, I strongly urge that you call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You do not have to give your name and address and the information you supply could be worth up to £25,000 if it results in an arrest and conviction.”
Official figures show that the number of physical attacks on UK cash machines rose by 17% to 635 in 2008. In addition fraud via cash machines, mostly card skimming, cost the industry £37 million in 2007.
In North Yorkshire there have been a number of such incidents recently. These have included a skimming device found on a ATM at Morrisons in Selby on Thursday 20 May; an ATM was raided during a burglary at the Co-op store in Grantley Drive, Harrogate, on 13 May, and two ATMs were stolen from Morrisons at Ripon on Friday 4 June. In the latter incident the offenders used a stolen agricultural vehicle to rip the cash machines from the wall at the front of the store.
The force is also appealing for information to trace two Romanian men who are wanted to face trial for cash machine fraud offences.
Alexandru Catalin Lamba, aged 24, and Gheorghita Lupu, aged 29, were arrested on 20 November 2009 after being pulled over in a car that was travelling on the A19 at South Kilvington near Thirsk.
They were found to be in possession of electronic equipment used to illegally obtain cash from ATMs – these are sometimes referred to as “Lebanese Loop” devices.
Both men, who gave bail to addresses in London, were charged with possessing a bank card reader for use in fraud.
However, they failed to appear at Teesside Crown Court on 19 March 2010 and bench warrants were issued for their arrests.
The appeal to trace Lamba and Lupu featured on BBC 1’s Crimewatch Roadshow programme last week.
Anyone with information that could help trace either man is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 24 7, quoting the reference number 12090201191.
Information can also be passed on anonymously via Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111
