Explosive gas hits UK ATMs for the first time

While ATM explosive gas attacks have been common for many years in parts of Europe, the UK has escaped unscathed - until last week when there was a successful attack on an ATM in a garage in Hampshire.  Hampshire police released the video captured by the forecourt CCTV cameras.

A 26 year old man from Bristol, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of theft and causing an explosion likely to endanger life or property. 

In April 2011 the European ATM Security Team (EAST) reported that explosive gas attacks were on the increase in Europe, and a related post was put on this blog.  EAST is due to publish its 2012 European ATM Crime report later this month and so it will be interesting to see what the European trend now is.  Nonetheless, the fact that this type of attack has started in the UK must be of great concern to ATM deployers.  While such attacks are typically carried out at quiet times and do not therefore pose a risk to people, there is usually significant collateral damage as well as cash loss.