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Germany is preparing to crack down after a sharp increase in cash-machine bombings by criminal gangs in recent years.<\/p>\n
The number of ATM burglaries involving explosives increased by 26.5% in 2022 over 2021, the most recent figures available, according to a joint statement by the interior and justice ministries published on Saturday. That\u2019s the highest since surveys began in 2005, and it\u2019s caused damage to businesses in a three-digit-million euro range.<\/p>\n
The government has floated a draft law to punish such crimes with at least two years of prison instead of at least one year. If the health of uninvolved persons is affected, the sentence may be increased to between five years and 15 years, up from at least two years presently.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone who blows up ATMs risks the lives of uninvolved people,\u201d said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. \u201cWe are dealing here with unscrupulous criminal groups and highly dangerous explosives.\u201d<\/p>\n
The move to stiffen sentencing follows previous efforts to rein in such attacks. Two years ago, the government\u00a0decided<\/a>\u00a0to lock self-service bank foyers at night. Police raids last year led to the arrests of people in the Netherlands and Belgium suspected to have blasted ATMs in at least three dozen locations in Germany in order to steal the contents.\u00a0<\/p>\n The government now also aims to give investigative authorities more power to use telecommunications data. Banks have previously been urged to further step up security measures, including video surveillance, reducing the cash held at the machines, and fogging and coloring of banknotes during explosions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\nRecommended Newsletter: <\/strong>CEO Daily provides key context for the news leaders need to know from across the world of business. Every weekday morning, more than 125,000 readers trust CEO Daily for insights about\u2013and from inside\u2013the C-suite. Subscribe Now<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n