Fifth ATM bombing in Noord-Holland in a week

An ATM was blown open on Dorpsstraat in Noord-Scharwoude early on Monday morning. This is the fifth such explosion in Noord-Holland in a week. Last week four ATMs were blown open in Alkmaar, Amsterdam and Zaandam, and one ATM bombing was prevented, NH Nieuws reports.

The bombing in Noord-Scharwoude happened at around 3:30 a.m., the police said on Twitter. Two people were seen fleeing the scene on a scooter. Whether they actually managed to steal any money from the ATM, is not yet clear.

The Dutch association of banks NVB called the large number of ATM bombings in the province "terrible" and "worrying", according to NH Nieuws. "Every ATM bombing that takes place is of course worrying", a NVB spokesperson said to the local broadcaster. "And certainly when you see the enormous damage and impact on the environment, we think it is terrible."