TWO ATMS WERE stolen during incidents that appear to have involved gas being ignited to damage buildings.

Police in Northern Ireland are now appealing to the public to report any suspicious activity at ATMs after the machines were removed.

The PSNI said today that the advice follows the theft of a sum of cash from an ATM in Keady this morning, as well as the theft of an ATM in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone on 23 May and the attempted theft of an ATM in Hamiltonsbawn, Co Armagh, on 5 June.

In all three incidents, gas ignition may have been used to remove the ATM, said police.

It is understood that igniting the gas would cause damage to the part of the building housing the ATM, enabling the culprits to remove the machine.

Detective Chief Superintendent Roy McComb, head of the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch, said:

These types of incidents present a serious risk to the community. Our advice to the public is to avoid any ATM that appears to have been tampered with and, in particular, do not approach any which has hoses, wires or other items leading from it. Call the police immediately on 999.

A number of arrests have been made in relation to the incidents in Carrickmore and Hamiltonsbawn.

Two men have appeared in court on charges linked to the Hamiltonsbawn incident and police inquiries are continuing.