Tuesday, July 06, 2010

North Cave residents fight HSBC to have ATM cash machine replaced after attempted robbery

On 21st June there was an attack against the North Cave HSBC ATM cash machine, which was forcibly removed and badly damaged and left in the road, after the raiders were allegedly disturbed. Since the incident the ATM machine has not been replaced and the building has been boarded up, approaches to HSBC have resulted in confirmation that the machine will not be replaced.

(pictured with North Cave residents Sue Malton and Howard Strong)

Previously the bank opened between 10am and 2pm on a Friday offering a service to residents of the area, and then about four years ago the bank was closed, although some banking facilities remained available through the ATM cash machine. The cash machine offered banking 24 hours per day 7 days per week and provided an essential service for residents not only from North Cave but also to residents of Hotham, Broomfleet, Newport and Gilberdyke. I have also spoken to people who work at the Wolds prison who used the cash machine on the way to and from work.

North Cave post office offers a cash withdrawal facility (although I’m led to believe this is not available to HSBC customers) and the North Cave shop provides a ‘Cash Back’ facility, which unfortunately is not free. The opening hours of the Post Office is limited to office hours and the village shop closes at 8pm, therefore anyone wanting access to cash after office hours face charges, or later in the evening face a journey through to South Cave or Howden.

HSBC’s response cites concerns for potential injury and damage to the any building housing an ATM machine as the reasons for not replacing with HSBC’s London based Deployment Manager Caroline J. Abrahams stating, “Having considered our position very carefully in this instance we feel that reinstating the machine could put both our customers and the building residents at further risk of a repeat attack and we will not therefore be replacing the ATM”.

Mr Walter Sweeny, the owner of the building, has confirmed has that he has an ‘open mind’ to the ATM being replaced. The first floor rooms of the building are not occupied therefore the comment about the risk to building residents is difficult to understand.

“As far as I’m concerned this is clearly not acceptable for local residents. I would ask if a risk assessment has been undertaken for all ATM machines operated by HSBC and how many have been removed because of the risk to customers and buildings. I’m not sure of the usage of the North Cave ATM machine but it will unlikely to have been as high as some machines located in towns”.

“This smacks of an excuse to remove a cash machine from a village and yet another example of rural communities facing cuts to services. Banks should remember that it was taxpayers money that was used to bail them out of a self inflicted crisis, those taxpayers of North Cave, Hotham, Broomfleet, Newbald, Newport and Gilberdyke deserve better from the HSBC. I urge the Bank to reconsider their decision and recommend residents sign the petitions being organised by the Parish Council”.

Local MP David Davis adds, “HSBC needs to think again. I’m afraid this proposal not to replace the ATM strikes me as a ludicrous decision. This provides an important service for local constituents both in North Cave and the surrounding villages. I will be writing to the Chairman of HSBC to ask him to reconsider.”

6 comments:

ATM user said...

I fully support the replacement of the machine or the provision of an alternative location perhaps somewhat closer to the centre of the North Cave/Newport/Gilberdyke conurbation. Would a location in Newport perhaps be a suitable alternative and possibly a site with anti ram-raid posts and cctv coverage be available?

Winston said...

A new site would work maybe like the 'stsnd alone' ATM with anti ram raider barriers at Wardles Service Station between the Boothferry bridge and Airmyn.

Winston said...

for 66 months (5 1/2 years) I have been making at least one trip form my home town of Hebden Bridge to North Cave by bicycle. this is an out and back trip of about 130miles and Ihav not missed a month in this time despite all kinds of adverse weather, illness, mechanical breakdowns etc. The main milepost of my journy was the unassuming little cashpoint at North Cave where on each trip I turn for home. I was surprised to be met with a wall of wooden boards yesterday. I need the cashpoint to collect a proof of passage through North Cave which is a requirement of the style of endurance riding I do (You can see more at the Audax UK website under DIY Permanent rides). I wonder how many other people have a unique connection with the ATM like me? Please reinstate it HSBC.

Paul Robinson said...

Copy of email to HSBC

Dear Ms Abrams

On 21st June 2010 there was an attack against the North Cave HSBC ATM cash machine, which was forcibly removed, badly damaged and left in the road, after the raiders where allegedly disturbed. Since the incident the ATM machine has not been replaced and the building has been boarded up, approaches to you by North Cave Parish Council have resulted in confirmation that the machine will not be replaced.

As the Local ward Councillor for the area I have very serious concerns about your decision, as it clearly not acceptable for local residents, and smacks of an excuse to remove a cash machine from a village and yet another example of rural communities facing cuts to services.

Your response cites concerns for potential injury and damage to the any building housing an ATM machine as the reasons for not replacing. You say, “Having considered our position very carefully in this instance we feel that reinstating the machine could put both our customers and the building residents at further risk of a repeat attack and we will not therefore be replacing the ATM”.

· Could you please clarify if a risk assessment has been undertaken for all ATM machines operated by HSBC and how many have been removed because of the risk to customers and buildings?

· Could you also please expand on your comments regarding ‘building residents’ being put at risk as the building is only occupied during the day?

· I’m not sure of the usage of the North Cave ATM machine but it will unlikely to have been as high as some machines located in towns, could you therefore clarify the usage of the North Cave ATM in comparison to the machines closest to North Cave?

· Finally, could you please conform that you visited the site as part of your decision making process

I look forward to your answers and clarifications, but in the meantime I urge you to reconsider your decision not to replace the ATM in North Cave.

Regards

Paul Robinson
Councillor
ERYC - Howdenshire

HSBC's Caroline J ABRAMS said...

Dear Mr Robinson

Thank you for your email.

To respond to each point in turn -

The security of every ATM operated by HSBC is continually monitored and as a result of individual risk assessments removals are undertaken where appropriate.

The nature of the fact that the building is only occupied during the day actually increases the risk of attack - particularly once a ram raid has been attempted. Experience has shown us that once an ATM has been targeted it is likely to be targeted again.

Usage at this machine has been falling for a while and is now less than the ATM located at our South Cave branch however this is not the driving factor in our decision not to replace the ATM. We have taken all factors into consideration (risk, usage, vicinity of other financial organisations/ATM's, the cost of repairing the damage and the physical location of the ATM) which has lead us to the decision that it will not be replaced.

I can confirm I have personally visited the location and am well aware of the area.

Regards,


Caroline J ABRAMS
Deployment Manager | HSBC BANK PLC HBEU
Network Development, Level 32,
8 Canada Square,Canary Wharf,London,E14 5HQ,United Kingdom

Anonymous said...

I support you actions Paul in not wanting a reduction to rural services, but lets be even handed the East riding council has reduced the massive amount of services, or at least, not supported even voluntary groups.
Pans calling grimmey bottoms hey.
Lets have a section for that fact Paul. It could be related to the fact that we get and want free banking and machines.