Thieves have attacked a long-awaited cash machine in Almondbury - just THREE days after it was installed.
And there is even doubt as to whether the machine on Northgate, installed inside an iconic red phone box, actually had any cash in it when it was tampered with leaving it in need of repair.
Engineers came out on Monday afternoon to wire up the machine and it was due to ‘go live’ a few days later.
But now thieves have tried to prise open the top of the machine.
The damage has caused serious frustration to residents, local councillors and traders who are fuming after months of waiting for the cash dispenser in Northgate to be wired up.
The equipment was installed back in April it took until Monday to get the ball rolling.
Almondbury councillor Phil Scott and local residents have spent months chasing up the companies responsible for the equipment to ensure residents and traders have access to cash in the village.
Clr Scott said: “They came to install it on Monday afternoon. It’s a cashzone machine. I’ve come down this morning and some one has had a go at it.
“It is showing out-of-service but online and the screen lit up. But it looks like someone has tried to get to the cash box.
“It’s extremely disappointing that somebody has done this.
“We have been waiting for a cash machine since the HSBC closed its branch and left this side of the village and shops without a facility.
“Now it has only been installed three days and hadn’t even dispensed its first note when this has happened.
“I’ve phoned Cashbox and they were concerned and are sending an engineer out. I’ve also phoned the police.
HSBC bank shut in November leaving the only other cash machine in the village the one at the Post Office.
Police are aware of the incident and enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information should contact police on 101.
