Wave of crime in Hesse: ATM blasts take off!

Wave of crime in Hesse: ATM blasts take off!

Wiesbaden, Deutschland - In Hessen, the number of ATM sprinkles drops sharply. According to the current information from the Interior Ministry, only about two dozen explosions were registered by mid-December 2024, compared to 61 in 2023. Interior Minister Roman Poseck describes this decline as a "trend reversal", which is primarily due to the improved protection and security measures that were implemented by the police, banks and justice. Nevertheless, the danger remains real: the perpetrators continue to use brutal methods to blow up ATMs and cause immense damage - this year the property damage amounts to around 4.7 million euros, while cash of around 740,000 euros has been captured, as the fr.de reported.

successful law enforcement

The success of the police in law enforcement are also promising. In 2023, over 31 suspects were determined, and the clarification rate is now over 50 percent. This year eight alleged vending machines have already been arrested. This includes four Logistic experts who were involved in the planning of the explosions, reports the hessenschau.de . The interior minister underlines the crucial importance of prevention measures - these range from light systems to video surveillance and are part of a unique initiative, the "Alliance ATMs" in which around 70 credit institutions are now taking part.

But the situation remains tense. Investigators warn that the gangs adapt their methods and continue to use fixed prison for their actions, which harbors massive dangers, especially in residential areas. The police therefore remain the highest willingness to alert to make the explosions less attractive as a crime and to protect the citizens, as is emphasized by the authorities.