Ulster Unionist Councillor Stephen Nicholl has condemned the theft of ATM's from Tesco in Ballymena and called for a more realistic response from banks.
Councillor Nicholl said:
"Once again a local community has been inconvenienced by well organised criminal gangs raiding, seemingly at will, across Northern Ireland.
“Not only are we losing the ATM's in areas where they have been stolen but we are also seeing the gradual withdrawal of services elsewhere as ATM's are not being replenished or having limited cash restocked.
“It would seem a rational move to have alarms fitted to ATM's activated by excessive movement or tracking software installed as most phones have. Banks certainly have a responsibility to protect not only their property but the businesses undermined by both the physical and economic damage.
“We cannot expect the PSNI to be everywhere but on this occasion, fortunately, the PSNI interrupted the robbers and gave chase. Hopefully enough evidence has been gathered to direct future police action.
“It shouldn't be this easy to carry out these thefts. If a homeowner left their doors unlocked or windows open they are inviting burglars in. If banks don’t alarm or track their ATM's, a relatively simple action, they are making it easy for these criminals."