There were just six attempts to blow up or smash open money machines in the first three months of this year, compared with 129 in 2013 as a whole.

News agency ANP says police attribute the sharp drop to better cooperation between the police, banks and justice officials. ‘For example, a suspect may be connected to an attempt to blow open a cash machine in a completely different part of the country,’ the spokesman said.

ABN Amro has also installed special cameras which are switched on as soon as a machine is under attack. This allows the police to see the images immediately, increasing the chances of catching the crooks.

Last year, police arrested 65 people in two special investigations into cash point crime which also helped the reduction in incidents, police said.