To press the case for more awareness of cash in transit crime, union reps and the BSIA and a security company MD met Home Office minister Hazel Blears on January 19.
The CIT sector man was Ian Nisbet, Managing Director of G4S Cash Services UK.
For more on the subject see the page in the February print issue of Professional Security.
Their aim, said the GMB union beforehand, was to discuss the measures that are needed to combat what the union calls the scourge of attacks on cash in transit handling system and the resulting injury to staff.
Cash in transit crime on the increase, according to the union. There were 836 attacks in 2005 up from the 763 in 2004, itself an increase on the 697 attacks in 2003. Over the past three years there have been 2,295 attacks in the UK. In the course of these attacks 447 crew members were injured, 58 of these seriously. In more than 700 occasions, it is claimed, firearms were used in the attacks. Security crew are shot, attacked with iron bars, machetes, stabbed, pistol whipped and suffer severe beatings and other traumatic assaults often leading to long term physical and mental injury. As the banks have increased their internal security to protect their customers and staff, the problem has been pushed onto the pavement, it is claimed, and cash in transit vans and couriers are under attack as they make cash deliveries.
After, according to the British Security Industry Association, the meeting with Ms Blears was ‘highly positive’.
BSIA chief executive David Dickinson said: "We were very impressed with the minister’s knowledge of the human impact of CIT crime and her willingness to address the issues raised. The Minister agreed to review how CIT crime is classified, to encourage police forces to share best practice, and to enter into a dialogue with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister about using planning laws to help provide ‘safe havens’ for cash deliveries. The Minister also agreed that, as a vital public service, CIT should come within the scope of the recently-announced Respect Action Plan."
Gary Smith, GMB National Officer for the Security industry said: "It was very helpful to have the opportunity to discuss directly with the minister these key areas that must be addressed to protect workers providing this essential service to the public. The human cost in physical injury, personal trauma, and the effect on family life is devastating for ordinary people who are violently attacked when they are simply doing their jobs. We now look forward to seeing some action."
The meeting with Hazel Blears MP marked the launch of a joint BSIA and GMB initiative to raise awareness that CIT crime is not a victimless crime and that this essential public service deserves more support from the Government and the police.
Seeking
GMB and BSIA say they seek Government action on the following measures:
increased police resources dedicated to this type of crime – in particular intelligence to target the organized criminal gangs behind most of the robberies
stricter sentencing policy for attacks, particularly armed robbery.
removal of parking restrictions banning CIT vans from town centres.
safer areas and procedures for transfer of cash in banks and retail outlets.
changes to planning laws to "engineer in" safe cash handling methods in shopping centres, banks and multiple retail outlets.
fast track routes and arrangements within banks and shopping centres for couriers.
greater use of CCTV in areas with high risk of attacks.
