Petrol station forecourt roof collapses during ATM raid

A petrol station's forecourt roof has been torn down in an attempted ATM robbery.
By David Young
Published 18th Nov 2019, 11:53 BST
Attempted ATM theft in BallynahinchAttempted ATM theft in Ballynahinch
Attempted ATM theft in Ballynahinch

Extensive damage was caused during the raid in Ballynahinch, Co Down, in the early hours of Monday.

READ: Attempted ATM theft at petrol station closes busy NI road

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It is suspected the thieves used a digger in a bid to rip the cash machine from the wall of Carlisles filling station and convenience store in Belfast Road.

Attempted ATM theft in BallynahinchAttempted ATM theft in Ballynahinch
Attempted ATM theft in Ballynahinch

The road was closed on Monday morning, causing major disruption to rush-hour traffic.

The attack is the latest in a series of ATM raids in Northern Ireland this year.

On Saturday night, thieves tried but failed to steal a cash machine from Belfast City Hospital.

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Industry organisation Retail NI condemned the latest attacks.

Attempted ATM theft in BallynahinchAttempted ATM theft in Ballynahinch
Attempted ATM theft in Ballynahinch

Chief executive Glyn Roberts said: "Words fail to describe my anger at this disgraceful attempted ATM robbery on one of our members.

"This has caused extensive damage to one of Ballynahinch's largest retailers in the run-up to Christmas.

"This is an independent retailer, who provides an invaluable service to the local community, awakened from his sleep to be told his business is smashed up.

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"It is also a new low for these robbers to attack health centres to steal ATMs.

"We would urge all businesses and organisations who have external ATMs to be vigilant and urge members of the public with any information to contact the PSNI."