The number of attacks against cash-in-transit couriers has reduced by 29% in the first six months of 2008 compared to the same period the previous year, and overall there has been a 20% decrease in the number of attacks since the partnership initiative commenced in June last year.
BSIA director Tim Thomas said: “We have seen a significant reduction in the number of attacks against Cash-in-Transit couriers over the past year thanks to the dedicated work by all stakeholders. Comprehensive police operations, combined with a multitude of high-tech security solutions, are not only preventing crime from occurring, but are also leading to the arrest of those criminals that do commit an attack.
“We now need to see partners striving to make an even greater impact on this very serious crime. This means changing mindsets, demonstrating a long-term commitment to Best Practice and proving to the criminal that cash-in-transit crime is not easy money.”
Encouraging figures
Home Office minister Vernon Coaker added: “Following a landmark agreement last year we have been working hard with our partners in the police service and the security industry as well as with the Trade Unions to secure cash delivery facilities, share intelligence behind the scenes and boost training for workers on the front line.
“These extremely encouraging figures show that effective partnerships can deliver results and drive down cash-in-transit robbery. I would like to congratulate everyone involved for their hard work so far, and I look forward to seeing the downward trend continue.”
Gary Smith – the GMB’s national officer responsible for GMB members who work in the security industry – said: “The GMB welcomes this start in tackling these horrendous attacks. We all need to do a lot more. GMB’s starting point is that we will not be able to eliminate the desire on the part of criminals to get their hands on the cash being transported by our members. We have to put in place a system that makes it all but impossible for them to do so and to get away with it.”
360 degree solution
“That means a 360 degree solution,” said Smith. “Where possible we need to engineer the cash-in-transit system so that there are no opportunities for criminals to get near the cash. Where this is not possible, we need to make it as difficult as possible to carry out attacks, and where attacks are carried out we need to ensure that there is a 100% chance of the criminals being identified and caught.
“When criminals appear before the courts they need to be sentenced robustly for their crime. This will then act as a strong deterrent against cash-in-transit attacks which should be seen as a crime against the person not a business crime.
“Local authorities need to make real changes on the issues of access and planning. They need to stop issuing parking tickets to cash-in-transit vehicles and instead offer parking exemptions, enabling cash-in-transit couriers to park closer to their delivery point and, therefore, allow them to be at risk for a shorter time as they cross the pavement. Couriers can then perform their roles more safely and concentrate on providing a valuable public service.”
