An ATM protection product foiled another explosive gas attack, the product makers report.
Raiders sped off empty handed when Gunnebo UK and Safe & Vault Company’s Gas Attack Protection (GP-X) system detected the gas, prevented the explosion and alerted the police. Gunnebo UK Key Account Manager Steve Lockhart, said: “Of course, we would rather such a potentially dangerous crime didn’t exist at all, but we are pleased to be able to offer a proven protection against it. We can show banks and other ATM operators how the system works in our trials, but a real-life success has customers queuing up as soon as the news gets out in the financial marketplace.”
The first GP-X system was installed in December 2014, and thwarted a gas attack in May 2015. The latest attempted raid was on a major high street bank cash machine.
“Once again, there was no collateral damage to the building, the money was untouched and it was business as usual for the customer,” added Steve.
ATM gas attacks have been on the increase in Europe for some time. The first UK incident was in 2013 and numbers have been rising steadily since.
Wolverhampton-based Gunnebo UK and Leeds-based Safe & Vault Company joined forces to develop the GP-X product, which can be retro-fitted or installed at manufacturing stage. They have also launched the ATM Strongarm, to protect cash machines from ram raiders and digger attacks.
“That product is also attracting a lot of interest, but the GP-X is causing the biggest stir in financial institutions, who want to protect their business, their cash and also their staff and the public from possible explosions,” added Steve.
