JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

REVIEW OF ATM SECURITY

Sydney, 21 October, 2005: Businesses involved in the provision of ATM and cash machine services in New South Wales are to conduct a security review in the wake of ram raids occurring in New South Wales in the last six months.
 
ATM deployers will review ATM sites across the Sydney metropolitan area to determine the need for additional security measures. In consultation with police, higher risk sites will be identified and reviewed first, with additional measures implemented if necessary, on the basis of the assessed level of risk.

Advice on progress will be provided to NSW Police within three months.

This decision followed the recent meeting between financial institutions, ATM deployers, shopping centre owners and the leader of Strike Force Piccadilly, NSW Police Detective Superintendent, Ken McKay, whose team is investigating the ram raids.

In the past three months, up to 25 ATMs and cash machines have been targeted by criminals using vehicles to steal cash.

All meeting participants acknowledged that there is no ‘silver bullet’ to prevent criminals ramming heavy vehicles into ATMs and cash machines with the aim of stealing cash, but all participants could assist in examining security measures.

The meeting agreed to calibrate the approach to ATM security which incorporates prevention and protection of the machine in a way that respects all customers’ need for accessibility and convenience.

A thorough risk-based approach will guide decisions as businesses examine how best to organise to prevent a ram raid.

For those ATMs in higher risk sites, meeting participants will first consider internationally accepted Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles and CPTED strategies for action, which fall into three broad categories: surveillance, access control and territorial reinforcement.

NSW Police Crime Prevention Program, Safer by Design, for example, is based upon the principles and practice of CPTED. It is a co-operative initiative involving NSW Police, local councils and government departments. The aim of the program is to ensure police officers and council planners, trained in CPTED, assess and minimise crime risk in development applications and plans.

Following consideration of environmental issues, stakeholders will then consider other specific ATM measures.

Any changes will need to balance other requirements for ATM and cash machine sites including physical access under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act.

For those ATMs and cash machines in lower risk areas, there will be ongoing monitoring of site security.

For obvious security reasons, this statement will not outline specific measures to be taken in specific locations as this would provide valuable information to offenders which may inadvertently cause more crime.

Anyone who sees any suspicious activity around ATMs or cash machines, or who may have information about illegal activity or suspected perpetrators is urged to  contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. All callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous.

Detective Superintendent Ken McKay, Commander of the State Crime Command’s Property Crime Squad, said: “Police are calling upon all businesses and building owners that have ATMs to ensure they conduct an adequate risk assessment on ATMs and buildings, and take all available steps to ensure the security of the ATM and its contents.” 

David Bell, Chief Executive of the ABA, said: “Banks are constantly managing risks at their ATMs – around 37% of all ATMs in NSW are owned by banks. This industry-wide review will be important in assessing security measures. Any future change will need to consider the balance between security and customer accessibility of ATMs.”

“We expect that all stakeholders – banks, building societies, credit unions, deployers of cash machines, shopping centre owners and service station owners will participate in the review.”

Jon Andreasson, Executive Director - Asia Pacific, ATM Industry Association (ATMIA), said: “The ATMIA and its members support this important initiative as an industry-wide collaborative effort. The Association is internationally representative of the ATM Industry and as such has the ability to provide an extensive range of world best practice methodology and resources.” 

“Through GASA, the Global ATM Security Alliance, we shall provide best practice knowledge from overseas. ATMIA produces a range of ATM physical best practice guidelines which when used as a benchmark against a local installation policy review shall produce a robust and effective response.”

It is expected that the review process will identify high risk areas and may recommend the use of additional security measures.”

For further information:

NSW Police
SCC Media Officer
Mobile: 0425 214 090

Australian Bankers' Association PR
Heather Wellard
Phone: 02 8298 0411
Mobile: 0409 830 439

ATM Industry Association PR
Jon Anderson
Phone: 02 9290 3167
Mobile: 0411 331 150


ENDS