Final member of OCG that attacked cash machines across North of England has been jailed

The final man who was part of a criminal gang engaged in committing offences including burglary, theft and various ATM attacks across the North of England has been jailed for nine years.

Wayne Singleton (07/01/1989) of Woodlands Close, Glossop, was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Monday 20 January 2025. Singleton was found guilty of conspiracy to steal, conspiracy to commit a burglary with intent to steal, and at another trial pleaded guilty to conspiring to cause an explosion likely to endanger life/injure property.

Property valued in excess of £300,000 including cash, vehicles and shop premises stock was stolen and approximately £50,000 worth of damage was caused to properties.

Between July 2018 and March 2019, one of the offenders came to the attention of Nottinghamshire, West Midlands, Derbyshire, and the Greater Manchester Police forces. Evidence in various forms indicated that this individual, along with others, were all involved in committing various types of serious acquisitive crime in these areas of England.

As a result, Operation Benson was instigated in March 2019 by officers from our Serious and Organised Crime Group (SOCG).

Offences predominantly involved the targeting of automatic cash dispensing machines (ATMs). These machines were either free standing within shops or built into the wall and accessible from the outside the premises.

The group used various methods to commit these offences, which included using combustible gases to explode the ATM machine and steal the money within or utilise Stihl saws to attack the ATM and gain entry to steal the money.

In June 2019 as part of the operation, our SOCG executed warrants at nine addresses throughout Greater Manchester and Derbyshire resulting in the arrest of seven suspects who were all later charged and sentenced.

From December 2019 to today, 11 men and 2 women have been sentenced to a collective 51 years and eight months in prison.

DCI Phil Kennedy of our Serious and Organised Crime Group said: “This sentence is a culmination of an extensive and detailed investigation conducted by a dedicated and determined team of officers from the SOCG who were greatly assisted by close partnership working with SaferCash representatives, the CPS’ Complex Case unit and also with assistance from officers at Derbyshire and Staffordshire police.

“This investigation and offending spanned over a number of police force regions and shows ours and our partners’ determination in dismantling organised crime networks who commit these kinds of offences.

“While the vast majority of people in Greater Manchester work hard for their rewards in life, a small minority think it is acceptable to try and shortcut their way via acts of criminality. We will do everything in our power to catch and prosecute organised criminals whose offending blights our communities.

“If you believe someone to be involved in criminality, contact police immediately. Your actions will help prevent innocent people becoming the victims of crime.”

Sarah Staff, the Head of SaferCash and a Director of the British Security Industry Association, added: “The SaferCash team have a strong working relationship with GMP and on behalf of the ATM industry I would wish to thank all those involved in this complex far reaching investigation that has resulted in such a successfully outcome.

“Attacks against ATM’s have a significant affect not only the industry and businesses, but local communities too, reducing their access to cash and the other important services provided.”