A further eight Dutch nationals have been arrested in connection with a string of explosives attacks on ATMs in Germany, bringing the total number of arrests to well over 100 in the past two years.

The eight – seven men and one woman – come from a variety of places in Noord and Zuid Holland and were arrested after Dutch and German police raided 22 homes and business premises on Wednesday.

The raids netted a large amount of cash, plus luxury goods and jewelry. Explosives were also found at one address in Amstelveen and five homes were evacuated while it was made safe.

German police have requested that all eight be extradited to Germany to face trial.

In 2022, 60 Dutch nationals were arrested for their role in blowing up cash point machines in Germany and the total this year is at least 61. Almost half of them come from Utrecht.

The German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg have been the main target for Dutch criminals who drive into the country in stolen cars, plant explosives, and make off with the cash.

In total, some €5.2 million has been stolen by gangs blowing up cash machines in the two German provinces, police said earlier.

Dutch gangs are thought to be behind almost 450 attacks on cash machines in Germany last year, but just 15 were blown up in the Netherlands because of preventative measures, Dutch police said in February.

Raids on ATMs in the Netherlands have prompted banks to move cash dispensers to areas where fewer people live and remove some altogether because of the danger explosions cause to locals.