Statistics show that, across the UK, close on 700 attacks were perpetrated against Cash-in-Transit vehicles and their crew members during 2003 alone. Indeed, safeguarding the nation's cash is no easy task, but Graham Levinsohn has pinpointed ways in which end user service providers in the sector are actively fighting back against the criminals.
At a time when the cash logistics business transports over £500 billion every year to banks, retailers and ATMs, there were no less than 697 attacks on Cash-in-Transit vans and their crews during 2003 – many of them involving a weapon.

Protecting the nation's cash from the criminal fraternity has always been a complex battle of wits. As security improved within banks and among retail operations during the 1960s and 1970s, offenders took to the streets and targeted the vulnerable drivers of Cash-in-Transit vans. Since then, security companies have invested millions of pounds in the development of specialist security measures to ensure the successful conviction of offenders, and to deter future attacks.

However, fast forward to the 21st Century and it's plain to see that the fight against crime is far from over. Although the cash services industry and the police have introduced a number of effective initiatives, approximately £16 million was stolen from Cash-in-Transit vans and couriers during the past year. This figure is particularly shocking when you consider that a large number of losses – those under £100,000 in Securicor's case – are self-insured by the security industry to help keep insurance premiums manageable.

There's now a consensus among industry leaders that the only way to prevent attacks is to make them unprofitable for the robbers. The cash sector is therefore renewing its focus on technological innovation, crew training and education to manage the risks of cash transportation while adding real value to their customers' operations.

However, despite impressive progress made by the industry in developing security solutions, continued involvement by the police, employees and their Trade Unions/customers is essential if we're to beat the criminals.

Developing technological solutions
Advances in technology have been the single biggest asset in helping the industry to fight crime. The integration of traditional security measures with state-of-the-art technology has produced new solutions that could revolutionise the cash services industry.

The industry has developed a number of key projects to protect its staff, its business and its customers' interests. Advances in initiatives such as smoke boxes (which draw attention to an offender), dye boxes (which ruin notes during an attack) and DNA technology (linking attackers to the scene of a crime) have helped to combat rising crime levels and protect Cash-in-Transit crews.

With increasingly sophisticated security systems and a growing number of cash solutions services, staff recruitment, retention and training have become an even more significant part of our business. This drive was emphasised in January when the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), the Security Industry Training Organisation, JobCentre Plus and the Security Industry Authority announced that they were working together to produce a booklet aimed at promoting careers in the industry ('BSIA and SITO back private sector careers push', News Update, SMT, May 2004, p7).

There's no doubt that quality staff are in great demand. Just recently, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development stated that the number of organisations reporting retention difficulties has jumped from 50% up to 72% in the past year alone. Another relevant issue here is the imminent introduction of the Working Time Regulations. As a sector renowned for long working hours, the security industry must be prepared for the legislation to lead to substantial changes in its business.

In responding to these issues, a number of industry participants have offered substantial pay awards to ensure they maintain a stable and expert workforce. The industry also invests a considerable amount of money in developing a range of skills among its employees. This includes specialist security procedures and devices, risk assessment and management, complex cash logistics, outsourced ATM cash management and transaction management.

Here at Securicor, we ensure that all new recruits enjoy four days' 'classroom'-based tuition followed by a period of on-site instruction. During 2002 we also introduced an e-learning system to allow employees to gain new skills by way of flexible training schedules.

A combined approach
The security industry isn't alone in its fight against crime, as is amply proven by the sheer number of surveillance initiatives being conducted around the UK in tandem with the police, other carriers and specific customers.

One such scheme is Operation Hawk-Eye, the joint industry-police service partnership project involving overt surveillance from BSIA vehicles. Essentially an evidence-gathering operation using surveillance vehicles in high attack areas in the Greater Manchester region, this venture actively reduced attacks on Cash-in-Transit vans by 70% in the first six months of operation. Following this success, North West police teamed up with the BSIA in November last year to launch a major crackdown on Cash-in-Transit robberies.

It's not only the police that can help to reduce the inherent risks in the Cash-in-Transit industry. Thorough customer communication is also essential for a successful service. Prior to the start of a contract, a good security company will comprehensively assess the security and business requirements of the end user. The number (and timings) of cash collections must be agreed as no business can afford to be either vulnerable to attack – simply by harbouring too much cash on the premises – or commercially flawed (ie running out of change during a busy period).

Once the logistics have been agreed, leading cash services providers transport cash in high-tech armoured vehicles fitted with numerous security features (including unique barcodes on containers which are scanned with hand-held terminals and provide a full audit trail of cash deliveries and collections, while global positioning systems map out the whereabouts of each Cash-in-Transit vehicle).

'Time on the pavement'
Nonetheless, there's still room for greater co-operation between security providers and their customers. Evidence has shown that the greater the distance the courier has to travel between the Cash-in-Transit vehicle and the customer's premises (also known as 'time on the pavement'), the more substantial the risk of attack. This has long been a problem area for the industry, but could largely be addressed through consultation between the industry and its customers with regards to the design of new buildings (although some customers are more receptive than others to such advice).

Since most service locations are existing constructions, it's likely that there'd be considerable conversion costs involved. Nevertheless, customers that use bespoke facilities benefit from lower attack levels and, hence, reduced losses. Not to mention a declining threat to their customers and staff.

As in other industries, there have been a number of notable disputes between the security sector, town centre managers, local councils and affiliated Trade Unions. Back in April last year, there was widespread media coverage of intense and difficult negotiations between Securicor Cash Services and the GMB Trade Union regarding a number of different employee issues. Since the successful resolution of these concerns, Securicor has worked long and hard to forge constructive links with members of the GMB to help ensure long term stability among the workforce.

In December last year, these efforts came to fruition with the announcement that Securicor Cash Services – in conjunction with the GMB Trade Union – had become the first security company to be awarded a grant from the DTI Partnership Fund ('Securicor and GMB awarded groundbreaking DTI grant', News Update, SMT, January 2004, p8).

In practical terms, the grant has contributed to the cost of a joint project entitled 'Working Together' which includes a series of facilitated workshops for Securicor Cash Services' managers and GMB Union representatives. The purpose of these workshops is to create individual relationships that will foster more open communications, allowing employers to become more involved in – and committed to – current and future changes in the business.

What's in store?
It would be somewhat naïve to think that we could ever live in a world that's completely free from crime. Today's security companies are operating in a high risk sector, and must accept the threats accordingly.

However, if we're to deliver a service which adds value to its customers' businesses at a reasonable cost, we must further develop our relationships with the police and the business community. Although significant advances have been made, there's much to be done when it comes to educating customers on how they might help us to protect their own assets.

Source

SMT

Postscript

  • Graham Levinsohn is divisional managing director of Securior Cash Services (www.securicor.com)