COUNCIL PAINTS PRIVACY BOXES TO DETER THEFTS AT CASHPOINTS

Havering Council is painting ‘privacy zones’ on the ground around 40 cashpoints to deter thieves.

The painted boxes will remind users to be more aware of their surroundings while withdrawing money. Busy shoppers, particularly at Christmas, can often be laden down with bags and can be vulnerable when using ATMs.

People in the queue will be encouraged to stand outside the box to give the cashpoint user privacy. If anyone crosses the painted line, the user will be more likely to be alerted to the fact that someone is getting too close.

The idea, supported by Havering Police, aims to prevent people falling victim to identity fraud and from being distracted as they are about to take their cash. It is hoped that the boxes will deter thieves from attempting to read a PIN number before stealing a card.

Use of the boxes has become more popular across the country after trials carried out by Manchester Police showed that offences around cash point machines marked with a grid fell by two thirds.

Cllr Peter Gardner, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said:

"We realise that a painted line on the ground will not physically stop a determined robber, but what it will do is make cashpoint users more aware of their surroundings and alert to anyone standing too close.

"Research suggests these privacy boxes have a marked influence on making bank customers more psychologically aware of who is around them - and hopefully making them a less tempting target as a result.

"This is one small but effective way of preventing people becoming a victim of crime in the run up to Christmas and beyond. Making Havering safer is one of our Living Ambition goals."