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.”