Explosives are the new black
Switzerland still seems to be a worthwhile target for ATM burglaries using explosives. In 2021, 24 ATMs were blown up in 11 different cantons. In 2019 and 2020, a majority of ATMs were blown up using gas, whereas in 2021, ATM burglars have been increasingly using explosives, 17 times to be exact.
This is an alarming development, since homemade explosive devices pose substantial risk. They not only cause great damage to property; they also pose a serious risk to life and limb for local residents, people who are in the wrong place at the wrong time and for the responding emergency services.
In 2021, unexploded charges were identified following several (attempted) ATM burglaries in Switzerland and abroad.
Fedpol has taken the lead in investigating ATM burglaries using explosives; and the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland conducts the criminal proceedings. Cases of ATMs burglarised using a gas explosion, tools or by means of electronic tampering are investigated by the cantonal police under the direction of the cantonal public prosecutor's office. fedpol provides support with situation reports and analyses throughout Switzerland and coordinates between cantons and authorities abroad.
| ATMs burglarised using tools | ATMs blown up using explosives | ATMs blown up using gas | ATMs burglarised using other means** | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 18 |
| 2019 | 24 | 9+1* | 13 | 9 | 56 |
| 2020 | 2 | 8+1* | 14 | 20 | 45 |
| 2021 | 4 | 17 | 7 | 21 | 49 |
* Attempted burglary using explosives suspected, but not proven
** ATMs burglarised by tampering with the electronics (jackpotting or blackboxing), ATMs ram-raided using a vehicle, and other unclassified methods