Patna, Jan. 2: A spurt in incidents related to ATM thefts and card swapping in the state capital has pushed the police to chalk out new mechanisms to curb such crimes.

Senior police officers are planning to set up a special team of officers or start talks with banks to make their security system stronger.

Talking to The Telegraph, Patna SSP B.S. Meena said the banks should help the police in tracking such cases.

The senior officer, however, added that ultimately it is the card holders’ responsibility to take care of their money and debit/credit cards.

“People have to take care of their money. They should know that handing over their debit or credit card to someone unknown poses a huge risk. They need to be really careful while withdrawing money from an ATM counter,” Meena said. He added that the police are looking into such crimes and chalking out a way to check them.

“Right now we cannot say anything concrete. The police will definitely find a way out in terms of developing a new system to tackle such crimes. Earlier, men involved in swapping cards of customers were arrested and we do have the background information on them. The police are working towards catching hold of them,” he added.

Police sources said that the move could be to depute a few personnel from each police station to watch ATM booths.

“The police are always patrolling their respective areas which include places where ATM machines are located. Some officers could just be deputed around the ATM booths, keeping an eye on the customers and the people roaming in the area. Also, the private security guards posted by the banks outside ATM machines could be made to go through a background check with and their records could be kept at the local police station. The cops are always doing a background check of the guards deputed in apartments. The same could be done for those guarding ATM counters too,” sources said.

Meanwhile, the SSP added that the banks too needed to pull up their socks and be alert to avoid such thefts.

“Banks should further strengthen their security measures. Also, if a theft happens, the bank should provide the police with all the details as soon as possible. The banks and the police should be working hand-in-hand to control these incidents,” Meena said.

In 2008, the Kankerbagh police had arrested two brothers who used to roam around ATMs and target mostly the old people coming out after withdrawing money.