According to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), more ATMs were blown up last year than ever before: “In some cases, up to five ATMs were blown up in one night across Germany.” More and more robbers are coming from other countries.

Explosions have been multiplying for several months. There is no exact picture of the situation for 2022 yet, but the BKA expects a new record. According to statistics, every day in Germany at least one ATM is blown up. So far, 2020 has become a record year: a total of 414 ATMs were blown up. In 2021, the number of attacks decreased slightly, now it has reached a new maximum.

According to the regional criminal police department (LKA), the number of ATM explosions in recent years has increased again after a temporary decrease. They always operate in gangs, and “some of the perpetrators come from the Netherlands and Southeast Europe,” it said.

The procedure is very quick, sometimes the crime takes place in a matter of minutes, usually between midnight and 6 in the morning. Points that can be reached quickly by highway are preferred, making escape easier.

Cases pending

Here are some recent examples. Criminals blew up an ATM in the district of Kusel in Rhineland-Palatinate, as well as in Aschaffenburg in Bavaria. Last weekend it happened twice in 24 hours in Heidekreis, Lower Saxony. At the end of last week, ATMs exploded in Rottenburg, Dortmund and Wetzlar.

Recently, the police arrested five men in the Heppingen area, suspected of blowing up at least four ATMs. This was announced on Thursday by the prosecutor of the city of Ulm and the criminal police department of the state of Baden-Württemberg.

A burglary in Lorch on October 12, 2022 gave investigators relevant clues. A tip from a witness led to a suspicious vehicle in which burglary tools and clothing were found.

The clothes identified three criminals from the Heppingen area, aged between 18 and 21. According to a police report, in mid-November, an arrest warrant was issued against them for attempted aggravated robbery in a group, as well as for committing an explosion. Now they are in custody in different colonies.

Two other suspects from the Heppingen area, aged 19 and 23, were provisionally arrested in mid-December. According to the police and the prosecutor’s office, the latter provided comprehensive information about the crime, in connection with which the warrant for his arrest was suspended.

Love of cash

“We are witnessing a transfer to Germany,” explains Bastian Kipping, chief inspector of the Rhineland-Palatinate Criminal Police Office. Many of the suspects come from the Netherlands as well as France.

In recent years, both countries have upgraded their ATMs “with adhesive technology and paint systems” so stolen money is rendered unusable by glue or paint. These measures have not yet become widespread in Germany. “Criminals exploit this ruthlessly,” says Kipping.

Thus, due to the proximity of the border, western Germany attracts criminals from neighboring countries. In North Rhine-Westphalia alone, according to the LKA, more than 180 ATM robberies with explosives were committed last year, 30 more than the year before. In Rhineland-Palatinate, the number of demolished ATMs increased manifold: 56 in 2022 compared to 23 the previous year.

Of course, there are disadvantages that robbers use. An important factor is the volume of cash circulating in Germany. “Germans love their money,” says Kipping. “Paying by card is much more common in the Netherlands.”

Thus, the number of ATMs in Germany is very high, over 55,000. In the Netherlands, by contrast, according to the German banking industry, it is in the “thousand zone”. And last but not least, German cars usually cost more than those in neighboring countries.

Danger to buildings and passers-by

“The perpetrators do not care about witnesses. Burglary sometimes takes place in a very calm and casual manner,” said a spokesperson for the LKA. Also, gangs are now using hard explosives instead of gas, and the resulting force can be devastating.

He also says that the criminals, fleeing, ignore speed limits and endanger passers-by. “It’s only a matter of time before pedestrians get seriously injured, and at speeds of 250 kilometers per hour, it’s difficult for patrol officers to follow them.”

Strategy of banks

Banks are trying to keep up with the growing threat. Therefore, many banks have installed devices in their ATMs that can neutralize the explosive gas, but they are not effective against the solid explosives currently in use.

That’s why banks are starting to rely more and more on video surveillance and security alarms, as well as paint and glue on ATMs. In November 2022, German banks agreed on a broader prevention strategy at a meeting with the Federal Ministry of the Interior.

Thus, more and more banks dismantle ATMs, and others close their branches for the night. However, this is considered a last resort for banks, as if the bank premises are completely closed, customers with bank cards will no longer have access to ATMs at night.

In 2021, attackers stole almost 20 million euros by blowing up ATMs in Germany. However, the cost of property damage caused by an explosion is much higher. Data for last year are not yet available, but according to BKA estimates, several million more can be added in 2022.

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