£25,000 reward following gas attack on Mid Sussex cash machine

A £25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for gas attacks on ATM cash machines, including one at Hurstpierpoint.

Independent charity Crimestoppers and Post Office Limited are offering the reward following three incidents, one in Brighton towards the end of February, another earlier this month in Shoreham, and a third in Hurstpierpoint last week, which saw ATMs at Post Office branches targeted with gas explosions.

The first incident in Brighton around 2.40am on February 28th saw an explosion occur inside the Post Office branch on Longridge Avenue, Saltdean. Shortly after, a male wearing a baseball cap smashed his way through the front door. The male went to the rear of the damaged ATM removed cassettes containing cash, and exited the branch.

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The second incident at a branch on Mansell Road in Shoreham by Sea occurred at around 4.30am on March 3rd when suspects arrived at the location in a dark vehicle, possibly a BMW.

Activity outside the branch lasted for approximately 30 minutes. During this time gas canisters were carried to the ATM, at which point an explosion occurred. A suspect again smashed his way through the front door with a sledgehammer. The suspect that entered the branch is the same suspect who entered the branch during the Saltdean ATM attack.

The male removes cassettes of cash and exits the branch.

The most recent incident in Hurstpierpoint, happened at around 3.30am on Thursday (March 23). The burglars stole cash from the machine inside the Post Office before making off in a dark coloured vehicle, again this was possibly a BMW.

Crimestoppers and Post Office Ltd are now offering a reward of up to £25,000 for information passed through the charity’s 0800 555 111 number leading to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for these attacks.

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Roger Critchell, Director of Operations for Crimestoppers, said: “Post Office branches are vital community facilities, and to see these incidents occur is a big concern.

“A large sum of money has been stolen, but importantly, we want to ensure people feel safe when visiting their Post Office branch, so please, if you have any information on who is responsible for these incidents, contact us anonymously.”

Mark Raymond, Head of Security Operations for Post Office, said: “The safety and security of our people and customers is paramount and Post Office is committed to helping put a stop to these incidents.”

If you have any information then please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through our Anonymous Online Form.

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The reward will only qualify if information is passed to Crimestoppers’ 0800 555 111 number or anonymous online form and leads to a successful conviction. Information passed directly to police will not qualify for the full amount.