Kent Police has received a report that thieves tampered with an ATM in London Road, on Saturday 8 July 2023.
At around 10am, a customer used the machine situated outside a bank, but no money was dispensed. It is thought a suspect then returned to the scene once the victim had left and removed a hidden device that had retained the cash.
Advice
Sergeant Nick Atkinson said: ‘We are investigating this incident including the examination of CCTV footage in the area. Whilst in this case we do not know the method used to steal the cash, in the past devices have been attached to the area it is dispensed from using adhesive tape. My advice is that if an ATM appears to have been tampered with, report it immediately to the bank or contact the police.
‘People should always cover the PIN keypad as they enter their number. If you enter your card and it appears to be retained or jammed, check the fascia and notify your service provider immediately.’
If you see anyone acting suspiciously around cash machines report it to the police online, or via 999 if a crime is in progress.