The Big Issue

Such attacks are becoming increasingly violent, and the human cost of these crimes quite severe. Couriers may be left injured and traumatised, while innocent members of the public are also placed at great risk by gangs determined to lay claim to the money (which is then often used to fuel organised crime).

Key to the reduction of attacks is the overriding need to influence Government, and ensure that the police and the Judiciary have the resources and power at their disposal to treat this extremely serious crime with the importance it deserves. The security industry is already investing heavily in security measures to protect both staff and assets. We are calling for the police, the Judiciary, the banks and retailers to work with the industry and make a firm commitment to combating CVIT attacks.

As part of the lobbying process, the BSIA and the GMB have worked alongside backbench MPs to table an Early Day Motion (EDM 967) entitled ‘Combating Cash Delivery Crime’. The EDM emphasises the very serious nature of such attacks, and welcomes the many joint initiatives that the BSIA (and the industry) undertakes with the police service. It also calls on the Government to tackle this problem urgently as part of the wider organised crime agenda.

The EDM enjoys cross-party support, and to date has already been signed by over 70 MPs. More signatures are needed to ensure that the Labour Government is compelled to take action sooner rather than later.

I call upon my colleagues across the security industry to write to the local MPs for all of their branch locations and urge them to sign this Early Day Motion. Raising awareness of this issue at the highest level is intrinsic to ensuring the continued safety of our people during the coming years.