Combating cash delivery crime campaign

The BSIA and GMB trade union are running a continuing campaign to reduce attacks against cash-in-transit couriers.

In 2006 the number of cash and valuables in transit (CVIT) attacks increased exponentially. The industry was in real danger of not being able to recycle and redistribute cash at the appropriate level, due to the threat of attack. The industry's operations are enormous, with an estimated £1.4 billion to £2 billion being transported per day using a fleet of 3,500 vehicles.

Attacks mean that our couriers have suffered injuries resulting from shootings, stabbings, pistol whippings and severe beatings, not to mention post-traumatic stress. This has a lasting effect on the individuals involved, their work colleagues and their families.

The industry is now involved in a partnership initiative under the auspices of a Cash & Valuables in Transit Crime Reduction Charter. The partnership involves the Home Office, Police, banking, retail and security industries and has involved the creation of a CVIT Crime Reduction Delivery Plan.

CVIT Crime Reduction Charter
An awareness of the problem of cash-in-transit attacks led to the Home Office hosting a major summit in May 2007 inviting key stakeholders to discuss ways of reducing CVIT attacks. With the support of Home Office Ministers, a Cash and Valuables in Transit Crime Reduction Charter was signed by all stakeholders at the summit: the British Bankers Association, the GMB trade union, the British Security Industry Association, the Security Industry Authority and the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Each organisation is a signatory to the charter and they agreed to work in partnership to prevent and reduce the incidence of CVIT crime by:

. providing the incidence of CVIT crime, with a particular focus on repeat victimization.
. maintaining the standards of training for security personnel, police and other staff involved in cash handling services.
. raising and promoting the need for local partnerships and authorities, recognising the vitally important nature of the timely and safe delivery of cash into local economies and actively considering the issue of CVIT services in their plans and procedures.
. ensuring appropriate risk assessments and appropriate prevention measures are in place across the industry to prevent repeat attacks.
. producing good practice guidance and providing regular updates.
. providing prompt analysis and disseminating information and intelligence between all stakeholders in real time.
. making the most of available technology to reduce the threat of CVIT crime and design out crime.

To download a copy of the charter, click here.

The Delivery Plan
A Home Office CVIT Crime Reduction Delivery Plan was produced in June 2007. Stakeholders were identified and each assigned various actions and timeframes to assist in preventing and reducing CVIT crime. A number of Ministerial roundtable meetings have since been held at the Home Office, chaired by Ministers. These meetings serve to monitor progress and provide a platform on how best to resolve CVIT crime in partnership.

Progress to date
The delivery plan has brought results, but more work needs to be done to significantly reduce CVIT attacks. The stakeholders have made the following progress to date:

The security industry and the GMB
. Both have tirelessly campaigned to raise awareness.
. The industry has invested considerably in new technology to deter and detect attacks.
. The industry has developed its own intelligence gathering operation, SaferCash.
. Both have tried to work with the local councils on the issue of parking.

Police operations
. Overt and covert operations in several police force areas are working closely with SaferCash to ensure success. They include: Operation Matrix (Merseyside Police), Operation Vanguard (Met Police), Operation Liaison (Greater Manchester Police) Follow that Van (West Midlands Police).

Criminal justice
. Significant numbers of arrests of late and exemplary sentences.
. Engagement with the Criminal Prosecution Service has resulted in the creation of a prosecution file that has been distributed to the service nationally.
. Crown Court judges have also actively raised awareness of the crime within their profession, calling for sentences that reflect the seriousness of the crime.

Banks and retailers
. The British Bankers' Association (BBA) has issued its 'Best Practice Guidelines'.
. Active BBA engagement to identify banking shortfalls in the cash delivery process.
. The BBA's recent Security Conference devoted half a day to addressing CVIT crime.
. The British Retail Consoritum has established a CVIT Strategy Group.
. Supermarkets have been working with SaferCash to report suspicious incidents.

Attack statistics
. The last six months of 2007 saw a 28% decrease in attacks compared to the first six months of the year; a clear indication of the success of the Delivery Plan.
. 2007 saw 1,059 attacks. Between January and June there were 617 attacks; between July and December, 442 were recorded.
. There was a 14% increase in injuries from 2006 with the majority of the increase involving minor assault.
. The number of attacks where firearms were seen or intimated has reduced from 20% in 2006 to 12% in 2007.

To download a breakdown of 2007 attacks by police force, click here.

Assist the campaign
Despite all the positive work that is being undertaken, there is a long way still to go. We are therefore calling upon stakeholders to assist the campaign as follows:

Members of Parliament
. Discuss CVIT crime prevention with your local Chief Constable.
. Ensure CVIT crime and parking exemption is raised at your local Council meetings.
. Raise awareness of the crime through your local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and any privately run crime reduction partnerships in your constituency.

Local authorities
. Provide parking exemptions to CVIT vehicles delivering in your area.
. Consider CVIT crime when installing security measures in your town centres.

Police forces
. Ensure a strong relationship is built with SaferCash, the industry CVIT intelligence unit.
. Raise awareness of the crime through your local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and any privately run crime reduction partnerships in your area.

Banks
. Review your security procedures with regard to CVIT deliveries in line with British Bankers Association best practice.
. Consider the installation of safe havens within your branches.

Retailers
. Review your security procedures with regard to cash-in-transit deliveries.
. Get involved with the British Retail Consortium's CVIT Strategy Group.

To find out more about the Combating Cash Delivery Crime Campaign visit the BSIA website