CASH machines across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire are now dispensing cash and anti-robbery advice.
In a bid to spread messages about steps people can take to reduce the risk of becoming a robbery victim, Thames Valley Police are running a major advertising campaign on ATMs as part of the Safer Streets campaign.
Safer Streets is a six month crackdown on violent crime aimed at 15-35 year olds. It is about making it safer to live in Thames Valley and enjoy the nightlife. The adverts will run on cash machines at 44 locations in Thames Valley including, shopping centres, petrol stations, supermarkets, post offices and a hospital.
The ATM:ad campaign guarantees 350,000 people will read the safety messages over four weeks.
Nationwide cash machines have the technology to add animated adverts into cash machine transactions. As you approach the ATM, there is a 10 second animation sequence featuring the message, ?Getting cash out in public? Bring a mate to the ATM, and don?t flash your cash.
The second sequence, shown while processing your request reveals the message, ?Before you go out, plan your way home, talking on your mobile will not keep you safe. If out alone use public transport or get a taxi.?
The final ?thank you? screen flashes the message ?He?s on his own and on his phone, he?s a robbers target?.
The adverts were designed by Thames Valley Police?s New Media team and animated by ATM:ad.
Inspector Neil Coolman, from the Safer Streets project, said: ?This is a really innovative way to get a message about staying safe to young people who go out on the town in Thames Valley. We are genuinely concerned with the welfare of young people, they are a hard to reach group and with this type of advertising, hopefully we can get them to help us, by helping themselves stay safe.?
The Operation Robbery strand of the Safer Streets campaign is a renewal of the campaign that targeted street robbers in 2002. Although personal and business robbery are continuing to drop across the Force (At the end of November there was a 10 per cent decrease since April 2005), Thames Valley Police is determined to keep the pressure on persistent offenders. Information from crime reports and intelligence will be used to direct officer activity on a daily basis.
Find out more about the Safer Streets campaign, by logging on to www.thamesvalley.police.uk/saferstreets
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