Yellow privacy spaces make cashpoint users safer

Cash machine users will be at less risk when taking out money as the Angel becomes the first area of Islington with 1m-squared yellow privacy space markings around all cash machines in the Angel AIM.

Having campigned for a year for the high visibility markings on the ground around cashpoint machines, Angel BID is pleased to announce the beginning of the works this spring which will be funded by Transport for London.

“Safety for everyone using the Angel is our No1 priority and creating personal space zones around the many cashpoints in the Angel BID area will reduce the number of street crimes committed here, making people feel safer and more comfortable,” says Angel BID Director Christine Lovett.

“Criminals will be less able to trick or intimidate people withdrawing money if they can’t get too close to them at the cash machine. The privacy spaces will also prevent street beggars sitting too close to the machines.”

Victims are robbed by criminals either
•‘shoulder surfing’ by standing close enough to see their PIN number and then later robbing them of the card and withdrawing more money
•standing close enough to assess how much money has been withdrawn, putting a mark on their back and then an accomplice stealing it later
•‘hustling’ by standing directly behind a victim as they are about to make a withdrawal, ordering them not to turn around, displaying or
•threatening a weapon, then ordering them to withdraw a certain amount of cash and remain facing the wall while the offender escapes

Research in Greater Manchester indicates that up to one in four street crime offences were geographically connected to a cash machine and, after introducing privacy space markings, offences reduced by 66% within 150m of those machines.

Safety for shoppers, visitors and residents at the Angel has been the top priority for Angel BID during its first year which has seen the setting up of the Angel Police Team of seven officers dedicated to the BID area. Since their introduction, they have made over 250 arrests with crime figures at the Angel has steadily decreasing.