Safety advice issued following spate of incidents at ATMs

Date published: 30 December 2011

Police in Prestwich and Whitefield are asking members of the public to remain vigilant whilst using cash machines.

This follows several reports of suspicious activity and thefts at ATM’s near to the Longfield Centre in Prestwich over the past few weeks.

In the latest incident a 25-year-old woman was using the Barclay’s Bank cash machine on Bury New Road, Prestwich, when two boys distracted her after she had entered her pin.

They then pressed the withdraw £200 button, took the cash and ran off.

It happened at about 2.30pm on 27 December 2011.

The offenders on that occasion were described as Asian, in their early teens, of slim build with spiked hair.

Inspector Mark Kenny from the Prestwich and Whitefield Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We have had a slight increase in calls to the Longfield Centre and surrounding area following incidents around ATMs.

“I want to reassure the public that my Neighbourhood Policing Team at Prestwich are on top of this and we have increased patrols to deter and disrupt those wishing to commit crime and anti social behaviour.

”It is important people using cash machines follow safety advice to avoid becoming victims, such as ensuring your PIN is not seen, making sure that your money cannot be snatched, try to not let yourself get distracted and be aware of your surroundings.”

Safety advice when using a cash machine to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of this kind of crime:

Choosing a cash machine:

- Put your personal safety first
- Be aware of others around you, especially in the hours of darkness
- Make sure you shield your PIN number when entering it into a cash machine
- Do not accept assistance from strangers
- Never allow yourself to be distracted
- If there is anything unusual about the cash machine, or there are signs of tampering, do not use the machine and report it to the bank and police immediately
- Cancel your card immediately if it is retained by the cash machine, lost or stolen.
- Never write down your PIN number and keep it with your card.
- Report lost or stolen cards to your card issuer immediately. The 24-hour emergency number is on your last statement.

Leaving the Machine:

- Put your money and card away before leaving the cash machine - avoid walking away from the machine with the money still in your hand.
- If the cash machine does not return your card, report its loss immediately.
- Dispose of your cash machine receipt, mini statement or balance enquiry with care. Tear up, or preferably shred these items before discarding them.