Rising ATM bombings force Swiss banks to suspend services, with Neuchâtel Cantonal Bank and others taking precautions.

Unknown persons blew up an ATM belonging to the Neuchâtel Cantonal Bank (BCN) in La Brévine NE on Monday night. The increase in such attacks has consequences: BCN is taking some of its ATMs out of service until further notice.

The bank announced on Monday that it was emptying ATMs in Les Verrières, Les Ponts-de-Martel, Couvet and Les Eplatures Est in La Chaux-de-Fonds and temporarily suspending their operation. The bank had already taken preventative measures by significantly reducing the amounts in its network of ATMs, according to the press release.

BCN is not the only bank in the Jura Arc to take this drastic measure. Following the bomb attacks in Alle and Pruntrut JU last Monday, the Cantonal Bank of Jura announced that it was closing several ATMs and branches until further notice.

In the month of May alone, at least seven ATMs were blown up in Switzerland. The perpetrators struck in north-western Switzerland in particular. In addition to the attacks in La Brévine, Alle, Pruntrut and Le Noirmont JU, they broke into two ATMs in Basel and one in Eptingen BL.

These attacks have been happening since at least late 2023. Suspects of any sort are yet to be reported. With the crime spree increasing in frequency, surely it is time to take action.

©Keystone/SDA