The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has launched security guidelines to help retailers and couriers thwart robbers as the peak season for attacks on cash delivery vehicles arrives.
While other categories of reported serious and violent crime have declined, the number of Cash and Valuables in Transit robberies has risen.
In the first ten months of 2009 there were 911 of these offences in the UK, according to SaferCash, 15% more than in the same period in 2008.
In 2008 the last three months of the year saw the highest levels of attacks and the same pattern is expected this year.
Street attacks
Deliveries to retailers attracted 35% of the attacks with most taking place on the street.
It’s estimated that up to £2 billion of cash and valuables is transported in the UK each day.
The BRC guidance provides a checklist for retailers to assess their anti-robbery measures.
It covers areas including providing secure locations for cash transfers and vehicles, designing out across the pavement movements, refining security procedures and reducing the incentive for these robberies by preventing criminals spending dye-stained, stolen notes.
The BRC dismissed the myth these attacks are victimless. It said they can involve violence and serious injury resulting in lasting trauma.
British Retail Consortium director general Stephen Robertson said: “This is retail crime at its most extreme. It often has devastating consequences for those involved and their families – long lasting trauma, permanent disability and occasionally even death.
“The fact that robbery is going up, while other violent crimes are falling, is a major concern. Encouraging retailers to use these guidelines can make a significant contribution to reducing the human and financial costs.”
