Insurance Premiums Rising For NI Shops With ATMs

A retail chief has expressed concern that businesses with ATM facilities in Northern Ireland have been hit with "dramatic increases" to their insurance premiums.

Glyn Roberts, the Chief Executive of Retail NI, made the comments in the wake of the latest incident- which saw two people arrested and a cash machine recovered as police foiled an attempted theft in Nutts Corner this morning.

Welcoming the arrests, which occurred after police were alerted to a digger trying to remove an ATM from a shop on the Tully Road, Mr Roberts credited the officers who were deployed to the scene.

The effects of the crime will still hit the business and local community, however. Highlighting the impact, Mr Roberts added: "While we have made progress, yet another independent retailer has to deal with the aftermath of a seriously damaged store.

"I know from talking to the numerous Retail NI members who have been victims of these criminal gangs, that there is a huge personal impact on them and their staff.

"Retail NI has met with the Department of Finance in recent days to discuss the impacted retailers being able to access the Rates Hardship fund. This is the very least that needs to happen to assist these small businesses getting back on their feet again."

This morning's incident brought the total amount of ATMs stolen this year to fifteen. The retail chief continued that the spiralling insurance premiums as a result of the criminal activity are adding another burden to an "already difficult situation".



(JG/MH)