Debit machine thefts in Toronto on the rise [Video]

Toronto Police said there has been a 40 per cent increase in break and enter crimes over the past six months with thieves targeting small businesses to steal point of sale terminals (POS).

Toronto Deputy Mayor Mike Colle held a summit on Friday to deal with the issue, inviting police, payment provider services and small businesses that have been victimized.

“These businesses are looking for help. They want to work with the police. We need to help them because we can’t have criminals running around kicking in doors all over the city,” said Colle.

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More than 300 small businesses had their terminals stolen last year and it happened twice at the United Bakers Dairy Restaurant in Toronto.

“They smashed glass so we had a lot of clean-up. We lost our point of sale terminals and there were forced refunds as well. You also have the issue …