BSIA: Combating cash-in-transit crime continues to reduce attacks

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Wednesday, 13, Aug 2008 12:00

The latest figures from the British Security Industry Association show that the proactive partnership work between the Home Office, Police, the GMB trade union, and the banking, retail and security industries to reduce cash-in-transit crime is continuing to bring results.

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, comments: "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 involved in the initiative. 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 go still further 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."

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "Following a landmark agreement last year we have been working hard with our partners in the police, security industry and 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, GMB National Officer responsible for GMB members who work in the security industry says: "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. That means a 360 degree solution. 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 100% chance of the criminals being identified and caught. When they come before the courts they need to be sentenced robustly for their crime and this will 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, allowing them to be at risk for a shorter time as they cross the pavement. This will allow couriers to do their jobs more safely and to get on with providing a valuable public service."

For more information on the BSIA/GMB campaign to reduce cash-in-transit crime, visit www.bsia.co.uk/cvitcrime

Editor’s Notes

- Filming opportunity - A BSIA member company is working with Sainsbury's in a best practice initiative to reduce cash-in-transit attacks. Measures introduced include an extensive review of security protocol, the introduction of mechanical docking stations and a joint reward system. Filming opportunities with cash-in-transit vehicles can be arranged on request at Sainsbury's London Colney, St Albans, though some security restrictions will be in place. Contact the BSIA to facilitate filming.

- A Charter to tackle cash-in-transit robbery was signed at the Home Office on 11th May 2007 which led to a Cash-in-Transit Action Plan being published in June. It was significant because it bound together for the first time all the key stakeholders into a framework for action which is now starting to deliver results.

- Implementation of the Action Plan has involved complex overt and covert Police operations in police forces across the country; considerable investment by the security industry in the introduction of new technologies to deter and detect attacks; the increasing implementation of best practice when dealing with CIT deliveries amongst the banking industry; and significantly increased communication and intelligence sharing between all the stakeholders.

- The British Security Industry Association is the trade association covering all aspects of the professional security industry in the UK. Its 570 members provide over 70% of UK security products and services and adhere to strict quality standards. For more information see www.bsia.co.uk, email info@bsia.co.uk or telephone 0845 389 3889.

Press contacts

BSIA (for Sainsbury's filming): Kiri Gray 0845 3890755, 07919381485 k.gray@bsia.co.uk

Naomi Ocansey 0845 3890741 n.ocansey@bsia.co.uk

Home Office: Robert Hall, Press Officer, 0207 0353832

GMB: Gary Smith, GMB National Officer, 07710618909

Steve Pryle, Press Officer, 07921 289880