Reducing the Risk of Armed Robbery

With banks and other financial institutions increasing their security, armed robbery offenders have turned their attention to other enterprises. Business people, in particular, need to know how they can help prevent an armed robbery and what to do if they are held up.

Together with your staff, you need to develop appropriate strategies around how cash is handled, and develop a set of sensible office precautions and procedures to reduce the risk of armed robbery.

You should also know what to do if you are a victim of armed robbery.

Cash Handling

These cash handling procedures can help reduce the risk of armed robbery occurring on your business premises:

• Do not keep large amounts of cash on hand and advertise the fact that minimum cash is held on the premises.
• Bank regularly but vary the times of banking and routes taken to the bank. Use two staff members for banking where possible. Larger businesses may consider security pickup of cash.
• Don't use a bank bag; use a less conspicuous bag.
• Remind staff to be on the alert whilst carrying cash.
• Cash should never be counted in view of the public and never leave cash lying around.
• Never talk in public about cash handling procedures.

You should also ensure you have taken adequate office precautions. You should also know what to do if you are a victim of armed robbery.Office Precautions

This list of office precautions can help reduce the risk of armed robbery occurring on your business premises:

• Be on the lookout for any suspicious activity near any business. Note the description and registration number of suspicious vehicles and/or people. Inform the Police immediately.
• Doors and windows at the rear of your premises should be secured with deadlocks and bars.
• Electronic beepers or other devices should be installed to indicate that people are entering and leaving your premises while you are open for business.
• Shop frontage should be uncluttered providing a clear view to the street. If possible, place your service area in clear view of the street frontage.
• Consider a silent alarm that is connected to a security company and can be activated from near your cash drawer or register.
• Also consider the installation of a security camera that can photograph the offenders committing the armed robbery.

You should also ensure your business has an appropriate cash handling strategy in place and that you and your staff know what to do if you are a victim of armed robbery.

If you are a victim of an armed robbery

If you or one of your staff are victims of an armed robbery, protect yourself by remaining calm. In the event of an armed robbery being committed, vital information such as a description of vehicles and offenders can assist in the early apprehension of an offender.

Remember:

• Do not be heroic by putting yourself in danger. No amount of money or property is worth a life. Obey the offender's instructions, but do only what you are told and nothing more. Do not volunteer any information.
• Avoid eye contact with the offender and their weapon if possible and instead concentrate on the offender(s) features.
• Stay out of danger if you are not directly involved and if you can leave the building safely, do so and then raise the alarm.
• Be deliberate in your actions. If you are ordered to hand money to the offender, start with lower denomination notes. Consider your own safety first.
• Phone the Police emergency number 000 if you or some other responsible member of your staff is able to do so without danger. Keep the line open.
• Leave the building if you can without risk. If nobody else has already done so, phone the Police. In any case, carefully observe any vehicle used by the offender taking particular note of its registration number, type and colour.
• Isolate the areas where the offender(s) stood or touched, immediately after they have left. Nobody should be allowed in these areas until the Police have arrived and taken control of the situation. This is to allow Police to obtain forensic evidence.
• Observe as much as possible and write these details down as quickly as you can after the robbery. Minor details may assist the Police in the apprehension of an offender. Common physical appearance details such as height; age; build; and hair colour should be noted as well as any behavioural details including speech, mannerisms, clothing, scars or tattoos. Other aspects to consider include the type of weapon used and method and direction of escape.
• Ask all witnesses to stay until the Police arrive, as the Police will want to speak to them. Explain that their evidence could prove vital when pieced together with other evidence. If possible, do not allow witnesses to talk together about the incident until Police arrive.
• Victims of armed robbery frequently suffer trauma after the event. If so please seek professional counselling. The Police have professional victim liaison officers who can provide advice and assist in contacting the relevant agencies.

You should also ensure you have taken adequate office precautions and have an appropriate cash handling strategy in place.