Germany Plans Tougher Penalties for ATM Explosions

Germany is preparing to take stringent measures following a sharp rise in ATM explosion crimes committed by criminal gangs in recent years.

According to a joint statement by the Ministries of Interior and Justice, reported by Bloomberg News on Saturday, July 20, 2024, the number of ATM thefts using explosives increased by 26.5% in 2022 compared to 2021.

This marks the highest number of such crimes since record-keeping began in 2005. These crimes have resulted in millions of euros in losses for businesses.

The German government has proposed a new bill to impose stricter penalties for these crimes. The proposed legislation would increase the minimum prison sentence to two years, up from the current one year.

Additionally, if these crimes result in harm to individuals not involved in the crimes, the penalties could range from five to fifteen years, instead of the current minimum of two years.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the severity of these crimes, stating, "Anyone who blows up ATMs endangers the lives of innocent people. We are dealing with unscrupulous criminal groups and highly dangerous explosives."

This move to tighten penalties follows previous efforts to curb such attacks. Two years ago, the government decided to close bank self-service areas at night.

Police raids last year led to the arrests of individuals in the Netherlands and Belgium, who are suspected of carrying out ATM explosions at more than thirty locations in Germany.