Night raiders close 200 HSBC lobbies

BANKING giant HSBC plans to close 200 banking lobbies at night after its revamped security system failed to stop criminals and vagrants. Two years ago the bank changed the electronic entry system on 200 of 1,600 branches that allow access to cash machines at night after crooks started cloning bankcards used by customers to gain entry.

Criminals installed fake swipe entry devices that 'skimmed' the cards for the details of anyone using the doors. The bank then began a programme of replacing the swipe system with push-button entry.

But this has failed and HSBC now says it will apply for planning permission to install cash machines outside the affected branches. A spokeswoman denied suggestions that criminals were installing cameras in the lobbies to film customers keying in pin numbers so their cards could be cloned.

She maintained that the night closure decision was more to do with health and safety. 'Anyone can get in and some of the branches are being used by vagrants as toilets,' she said. 'This is very unpleasant for our staff. The lobbies are also subject to vandalism.'

The move is almost certain to mean a reduction in HSBC cash machine availability at night. Most of the branches have multiple machines that will be replaced by only one or two outside machines.

Other banks have overnight lobby access, but are believed to use different entry technology.