- Increased occurrences of ATM explosions in MV
The number of blown-up ATMs has seen a considerable rise in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern over the past year. Last year, 2023, saw twelve incidents of explosions, far more than in years prior, according to the State Criminal Office (LKA) upon request from the German Press Agency.
There weren't any such incidents in 2022, five in 2021, three in 2020, and one in 2019. The office didn't provide any insight into why these numbers fluctuated. To deter potential criminals, the LKA does not disclose the amount of money stolen. As of the end of August this year, there's been another single exploded ATM in the state.
Explosives frequently employed
The method employed by the perpetrators has shifted, as reported by an LKA spokesperson at the end of 2023. The majority of the 2023 incidents involved the use of solid explosives. Before 2022, gas mixtures were commonly used. However, it's unclear if solid explosives are inherently more effective - the overall number of cases in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern remains too low. The destruction caused by the force of the explosions can sometimes exceed the amount of stolen money "several times over".
The Federal Criminal Office (BKA) has previously warned that solid explosives pose a greater danger to residents and passersby, as the perpetrators cannot control the explosion. Such explosions can be particularly hazardous for people, as many ATMs are still installed in residential buildings.
The increase in ATM explosions might be causing concern within the local banking sector. Despite the shift in methods to using solid explosives, banks in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are still taking necessary precautions to protect their infrastructure.
