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In a daring daylight heist in November, two men on a motorcycle gunned down a security guard and robbed Rs 1.5 crore when cash was being loaded into an ATM machine at a crowded market in north Delhi. This was one of the many cases targeting ATM booths and cash replenishment agencies in the capital in the recent years.
Last month, residents of south Delhi’s Fatehpur Beri were also in for a shock when they found an entire ATM machine ripped out of a booth which had neither CCTV cameras nor a security guard.
Police and bank officials agree that the ATM booths and the linked cash replenishment agencies (CRAs) – responsible for stacking ATMs with cash – are vulnerable to criminals, but say it is not possible for them to provide adequate security.
“Lakhs and crores of rupees in cash are transported and stored in the ATMs, but the security measures adopted by banks are weak despite several meetings with police to discuss the matter,” says Ravindra Yadav, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime).
Though banks have outsourced the job, it is still their responsibility to ensure that the cash involved is kept safe. CCTV cameras are installed at most ATM booths, but mostly they don't have security guards.
For the security of cash vans, CRAs use armoured vehicles and hire security guards, but the security guards are often outnumbered by robbers and become easy targets outside ATM booths.
“The security guards usually carry outdated weapons which turn out to be of no use in front of sophisticated weapon carried by modern-day criminals,” Yadav adds.
In many of the cash van robbery cases, the security guards were shot even before they could react.
To deter robbers trying to attack ATMs, banks have installed a self locking mechanism which gets activated if there is any attempt to break it.
Police say the CRAs need to be more professional with the standard operating procedure and hire staff after carrying out multiple document verifications.
The spate of robberies has also made the Indian Banks Association (IBA) to set minimum eligibility criteria for CRAs. An IBA panel has recommended a new protocol for cash transport and suggested installation of GPS and remote immobilisation of vehicles.
“The guidelines will ensure more uniformity in the sector and survival of only the best firms in the industry,” says Rituraj Sinha, president of Cash Logistics Association of India, adding that setting strict rules will keep non-serious and inefficient operators out of the industry.
“Clarity on the operating standards will decrease risks and push firms to work towards safer and more efficient work for banks,” he says.
If the panel’s recommendations are accepted, the banks will need to ensure that CRAs have a net worth of Rs 5 crore for operating up to 50 cash vans.
The requirement would go up with the number of vans. A company operating over 100 cash vans will need a net worth of over Rs 100 crore.
Police have also been asking banks to tighten security at ATM booths to ensure safety of customers as there have been incidents of people being cheated and robbed inside ATM booths.
But banks say while each transaction at an ATM is secured, personal security is not their responsibility.
Security measures
Apart from CCTV cameras in the booths, police also suggest security measures like installation of CCTV cameras on the machine itself, a convex mirror on the machine, and booth doors which open only when a genuine customer swipes his card.
“CCTV cameras are a must inside an ATM booth – be it wall-mounted or on the machine. Many of the cases are solved on the basis of the CCTV footage,” says Ashok Chand, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime).
Police say automatic magnetic doors with card swipe slots are a good idea as ATM cards have a radio frequency identification chip which helps identify the people gaining entry into the booth. It could help police solve cases where ATM users complain of being cheated or robbed.
The convex mirror would help people using the ATM to make out if anyone is coming into the booth or stalking them while they withdraw cash.
Without such security mechanisms, people say it is risky for them to visit ATMs in isolated areas.
“It is high time that banks step up security at ATM booths. I sometimes need to withdraw cash in the night, but find it is too risky to visit an ATM booth without security guards,” says Rajesh Anand, a resident of south Delhi’s Mehrauli.
Saket-resident Ankisha Garg adds that rather than mentioning the address of the nearby ATMs, all ATM booths must display the contact numbers of local police stations. She feels that the security guards must be armed.
“I have seen security guards sitting in the ATM booths with a stick. It would be of no use if robbers attack ATM users or the booth. Security guards are also found sleeping during night duty which fails to justify their presence,” she says.
Police say banks must also develop a system to monitor the CCTV footage from ATM booths for quick response in case of emergencies.
“Without the human element, it is difficult to secure the ATM booths. When so much money is spent on the maintenance of the ATM booths, banks can well spend a few thousand more to secure them for the safety of the customers and the machines which are loaded with cash,” Chand adds.
Banks, however, say security inside an ATM booth is the responsibility of the customer. Banks and police also maintain that they hardly have the manpower to secure each ATM booth.
A State Bank of India official admits they do not have security guards at all their ATM booths.
“The reason for not having a security guard in an ATM booth is decided by the senior bank management,” says Ashok Mehra with Mahipalpur branch in south Delhi.
The bank has 24-hour security guards at some ATM booths but some others get them only from 6 pm to 6 am.
A spokesperson for a private bank points at the cost involved in deploying guards.
On an average, the bank has to shell out an amount between Rs 27,000 to Rs 30,000 per month if three guards are deployed at an ATM booth, each covering an eight-hour shift.
“The ATMs which are not used much do not have security guards. The bank calculates the same and a decision is taken. Practically, it is not possible for any bank to have securitymen at all ATM booths,” says Vikas Mahajan.
And a constable with Paharhanj police station says, “It is not possible for the police to depute constables at each of the ATM booths. However, police will help the banks if they come forth with a list of ATMs where security is necessary.”
Last year, Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi had asked SHOs to identify ATM booths that do not have security guards and CCTV cameras.
Based on the report, banks were told to compulsorily install CCTV cameras and deploy security guards. But the instructions appear to have not been followed.
Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat says, “We regularly hold meetings with bank officials to discuss various issues. They are asked to comply with the safety norms and they also agree that it is necessary for the safety of customers.”