ATM thefts spark security crackdown

The burglary was the second in three days. Photo / APN

Burglars who stole more than $2000 from an ATM inside the Waihi Beach Memorial RSA have prompted police to call for better security measures.

The burglary on Sunday was the second in three days in the area after an ATM in the New World supermarket at Whangamata was also targeted.

In the second incident, at 1.45am, brazen thieves broke into the Beach Rd chartered club and ripped the ATM machine out of the wall before forcing the door open with a jemmy bar and stealing the cash.

Detective Simon Everson of Waihi CIB, who is also the Returned and Services Association president, said business owners needed to make sure ATMs were empty at the end of each day to deter burglars.

"It's all about target hardening your business from burglars," he said.

"If offenders are aware your machine is not holding money and the cash is inaccessible they are less likely to target your premises and you are making your store and your staff and customers safer by taking simple, preventative steps."

Mr Everson said ATM cash should be put in a safe, something the RSA had not done until now.

"We were initially led to believe that they were secure enough to leave the cash drawers in there but that's not the case."

Detective Sergeant Glenn Tinsley of Waihi police said suppliers of the machines, ATM New Zealand, recommended the drawers be removed and were reiterating that to operators around the country following the two burglaries.

Meanwhile, Mr Everson said the club was insured and the damage was minor.

He said police were following positive leads in the case but still wanted to hear from anyone with information on the identities of those responsible for the break-ins.

Phone Simon Everson at the Waihi police station on (07) 863-8179 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.