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Federal Cabinet decides on tougher penalties for ATM blasts!
The Federal Cabinet is planning legal measures against ATM explosions in order to combat crime more efficiently.
Federal Cabinet decides on tougher penalties for ATM blasts!
In recent months, the topic of ATM explosions in Germany has become increasingly explosive. The Federal Cabinet has now passed a draft law that aims to significantly combat this type of crime. Investigative authorities should in future be given more powers to take effective action against these dangerous attacks. In recent years, the number of ATM explosions has increased dramatically, with the amount of damage to banks and insurance companies running into the three-digit million range, as [Radio Euskirchen](https://www.radioeuskirchen.de/artikel/kabinett-verschaerft-massnahme-gegen-geldautomaten- Sprengung-2370380.html) reports.
A central concern of the new law is the introduction of a criminal offense for “exploding explosives to commit theft”. This will make it much more difficult for perpetrators to get away with impunity in the future. A key element of the bill is the higher minimum sentences: from now on, the prison sentence for ATM blasts is at least two years, and in the case of serious damage to health, even five years are envisaged. This change is intended in response to increasing statistics; From 2021 to 2022 alone, the number of offenses rose by 26.5 percent, which underlines the urgency of tightening the law, as [rbb24](https://www.rbb24.de/politik/teil/2024/10/bundesregierung-will-trafen-fuer-geldautomaten Sprengung-verschaerfen.html) adds.
Expanded powers for investigators
In order to stop the perpetrators, the investigating authorities are now also offered the option of telecommunications surveillance, especially in the case of gang-related crimes. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasizes the need for harsh punishments, because such attacks pose a significant danger to uninvolved third parties. In addition, the unauthorized storage, transport and transfer of explosive substances will also be punished, which, according to the new regulations, includes the commercial sector in order to prevent so-called “splashes”.
Cross-border cooperation plays a crucial role in this context. Recently, at the request of the Frankfurt am Main Public Prosecutor's Office, five suspects were arrested in the Netherlands who are suspected of being involved in several ATM explosions in Germany. This makes it clear that organized crime is an international problem.
Prevention is the be-all and end-all
In addition to the legal measures, Interior Minister Faeser also calls on the banks to take preventative steps. Increased video surveillance and reducing cash levels at ATMs could help prevent such robberies. It remains to be seen how these measures will be implemented and whether they will be effective in restoring security and trust in the cash infrastructure.
The pending resolutions now have to be approved by the Bundestag. However, the pressure from society as a whole caused by increased crime in this area could ensure that the plans are quickly put into action.