Police issue warning over ATM 'cash traps'

A WARNING has been issued to residents after police found a cash machine in Bromsgrove which officers suspect had been fitted with a 'cash trap' by thieves.

The ATM (automatic teller machine) in the High Street was found to be damaged last Thursday (April 19) when what appeared to be glue residue used to attach a device was reported to the police.

The 'cash trap' works by preventing cash from being dispensed or returned to an ATM which then goes out of order. So far no one has come forward reporting they have been denied cash.

Det Insp Robert Bruce said: "We would ask customers to look out for anything unusual when using dispensers and if the machine looks different in any way or they believe it may have been tampered with, they should inform staff at the bank or retail outlet without delay."

Police have increased patrols around cashpoints throughout North Worcestershire and are urging people to look out for suspicious activity particularly in the evenings.

A spate of 'cash traps' emerged in 2011, with a number of incidents reported across the West Midands.

Anyone with any information should call police on 101 or call crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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