GEORGE Overton, head of corporate communications for the Guardsman Group, is denying claims that Beryllium courier guards are facing a current security threat that has led to a shortage of cash at automated teller machines (ATM) in Portmore, St Catherine.

Jamaica Observer sources said over the past week many people have complained about not being able to withdraw any cash from ATMs in Portmore.

According to Overton, the shortage of cash occurred due to a higher demand from the public.

“We are servicing as per usual. What we do know is that some machines had a higher demand for cash than normal and we are taking steps to rectify those machines that may have run out. Sometimes, especially when you have events, the demand for cash is great in Portmore. There is no threat or any withdrawal,” Overton assured.

In recent months Berryllium couriers have come under attack from heavily armed gunmen who had robbed them of millions of dollars on numerous occasions.

At least one guard was killed in one of the incidents.

In February one guard was shot dead and two others injured by gunmen when they went to deliver cash at JN Bank, Portmore Pines Plaza in St Catherine.

The armed robbers got away with at least $10 million in that incident.

There was another similar attack on a Berryllium team in March in which three guards were shot and injured. High-powered weapons were fired at the guards about as they serviced a Scotiabank ATM in Portmore. Those gunmen escaped with roughly $23 million.

In April a team was replenishing cash at an ATM in Albion, St Thomas ,when they were attacked by gunmen with high-powered weapons, forcing the guards to return fire while they ran to take cover. In that incident the gunmen did not escape with any cash.