Planters give Cambourne ATM increased ram-raid protection

The first heavy-duty planters - designed to better protect some of South Cambridgeshire’s cash machines from ram-raids - have been installed.

The idea is to install planters in front of ATMs considered vulnerable to try and deter the destructive robberies.

District Councillors, representatives of Cambourne Town Council and Co-Op staff met outside Cambourne’s School Lane Co-op this morning (Thursday 20 March) to see firsthand the four new planters – which have this week been filled with flowers by the Town Council. The scheme has been organised on the ground by the South Cambs Community Safety Partnership and Cambourne Town Council are caring for the new plants, as part of their Cambourne greening projects.

Following an increase in ram-raids with vehicles, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cabinet last year agreed to allocate funding to better protect some ATMs. The funding came from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is administered locally by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

Other ATM sites in South Cambridgeshire will benefit from similar protection soon.

Many cash machines that are attacked get lifted out by a telehandler – a heavy-duty forklift, widely used in farming – after a building is rammed by a vehicle. A heavy-duty planter will at least delay, if not prevent, damage and theft.

South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Henry Batchelor, explained: “Cash machines are lifelines for communities, providing convenient access to money – which is not always easy nowadays. When they are ram-raided, it not only disrupts this essential service but also causes significant financial loss and distress to local businesses and residents. When they are hit, it puts the viability of precious ATMs at risk, especially for our rural communities, and can cause enormous damage to buildings. Protecting these machines plays an important role in maintaining the stability and security of neighbourhoods."

District Councillor for Cambourne, Cllr Dr. Shrobona Bhattacharya, added: “I fully support this initiative to enhance the security of vulnerable ATM cash machines in our Town. The installation of heavy-duty planters at Cambourne School Lane Co-Op is a proactive step in deterring destructive ram-raids, ensuring continued access to essential banking services while also protecting our local businesses from significant structural damage. I appreciate the collaboration between the Community Safety Partnership, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambourne Town Council, and other funding partners in bringing this to fruition. Enhancing community safety and preserving critical services like ATMs is a priority, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this scheme in Cambourne and beyond.”

Cllr Helene Leeming, District Cllr for Cambourne and Representative on the South Cambs Community Safety Partnership, commented: “These planters are both attractive and practical. It’s important to ensure communities can keep hold of their cash machines – and this scheme helps protect the shop at the same time. I am looking forward to seeing planters like this in more locations in South Cambridgeshire.”

Cambourne Town Cllr Fran Panrucker said: “We’re pleased to be working on this joint initiative – it’s another great example of partnership working. A lot of people simply cannot travel a long way to get cash out – so this sort of local access is hugely important. Cambourne Town Council has agreed to maintain the planters to keep the flowers looking nice throughout the year too.”

Senior Operations Manager at the Co-op, Joel Mattless, added: “Thank you to all the partners who are working with us on this scheme. Ram-raids are a problem for us in Cambridgeshire – but we want to keep providing ATM services for our communities so they can continue accessing their cash for free. This scheme gives us the confidence to continue having ATMs in our stores.”

There are ways that residents can help police anticipate and stop ATM cash machines being ram-raided. You can:

• install trackers on high-performance cars and heavy vehicles, such as Transits and flat beds, which could be used in a ram-raid.
• raise concerns if anything doesn’t feel quite right, such as plant vehicles travelling during the hours of darkness, or that are not usually in the area and appear to have been left parked for a few days.
• consider installing video doorbells or CCTV on your home, which could capture something vital.
• report anything suspicious, including anyone taking photos or attaching ‘out of order’ signs to ATM machines.

If you have any information or concerns, report to Police online or call 101, quoting Op ATMosphere. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris O’Brien, from Cambridgeshire Constabulary, commented: “Putting these planters in place, and working with our partners to deter ram-raids and protect our communities, is incredibly positive. Ram-raids on ATMs cause devastation and misery so this initiative showcases our commitment to tackling serious and organised crime in Cambridgeshire.”