Crime prevention series

Appendix I : Armed robbery

Published in:
Preventing retail crime
Susan Geason and Paul R Wilson
Canberra : Australian Institute of Criminology, 1992
ISBN 0 642 17047 9 ; ISSN 1031-5330
(Crime prevention series) ; pp. 73-78

Apart from terrorist attacks, armed robbery is the form of retail crime most likely to cause long-term physical and/or psychological harm for employees and customers alike. The following advice has been prepared by the National Police Research Unit, in conjunction with the Australian Bankers' Association, to help small businesses minimise the threat of armed robbery and maximise the chances of apprehending the offenders.

Preventing armed robbery

Consult a security specialist

All Australian police forces run specialised Crime Prevention Units providing advice and information on all aspects of home, business and commercial security. Some conduct site analyses to appraise the security of a business.

Limit cash and publicise the fact

The less cash held on the premises, the less attractive it is as a target. Keep a float of under $100 if possible.

Deposit money in banks or secure holding units frequently.

Keep money out of sight.

Never count cash in view of customers.

Never discuss takings in public.

Advertise the fact that you keep a minimum of cash on the premises. For example, the window sticker is available from the NPRU.

Don't advertise your profits: never flash a large roll of bills.

Use a cash drop box with a time delay lock and advertise this with a sign.

Locate a cash register where it can be seen by passers-by to increase the likelihood of identifying the robber.

Avoid routine: if staff transport cash, do not establish a routine, and do not let them wear a uniform identifying the business. Vary routes.

Providing credit facilities reduces the amount of cash you need to hold. Electronic Fund Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS) is one example.

Requiring exact money in transactions means you do not have to keep open cash tills, especially at night. Robbers may tender large bills specifically to find out where you keep them.

Time controlled vaults reduce the opportunity for theft.

Advertise them with signs.

Layout of premises

Open environment: An open and uncluttered environment which provides a clear, well-lit view of the sales area from outside is a deterrent to armed robbers.

Rear access: Any rear access should be fully secured with strong locks, and lanes leading to premises illuminated. Minimise curtains, posters and advertising materials which obscure vision, as they provide cover for bandits.

Doors and windows: All exterior doors should be of solid construction with good quality locks. Bars on windows may be necessary. Get rid of louvres. If you count money at night, make sure the premises are secured and you are not visible from outside.

Counters: Customers do not belong behind counters. Design counters to maximise space between staff and customers. Deep counters with raised floors behind make it difficult for offenders to assault staff.

Surveillance cameras: Though they may not deter robbers, surveillance cameras help in their apprehension. Make sure they are well maintained and serviced regularly.

Lighting: Making the target highly visible increases the chances of identifying the offender.

Mirrors: Mirrors allow staff to monitor otherwise blind spots, but make sure they don't allow offenders to see behind the counter.

Electronic sensors: These can alert staff that customers are entering or leaving the premises.

Bullet resistant barriers: If you handle large sums of money such as payrolls, you might benefit from these. By carrying out a risk assessment, a security consultant can help you choose the right strength.

Staff training

Vigilance: Staff should note any suspicious behaviour and report it to the police. This can often nip an offence in the bud. Be careful about personal name tags, especially with surnames, as this can place staff at risk after a robbery.

New staff: When selecting new staff, ask for references and check them out.

When staff leave: Make sure you get keys back. If keys are missing, change the locks. If staff leave under difficult or strange circumstances, it may be wise to change locks, safe combinations and even cash-handling procedures.

Minimise the harm

Victim counselling: No amount of money is worth the risk of personal injury or death. Many robbery victims suffer physical and emotional problems. Emotional reactions last longer and are more likely to occur if the victim puts up a fight. While these problems usually fade with time, professional counselling by qualified post-holdup trauma counsellors should be considered. This has been found to decrease significantly the emotional harm caused by armed robbery.

Assistance is also available from police and health professionals, and there are Victims of Crime Support Organisations operating in South Australia, Victoria and the ACT.

During an armed robbery, adopt the following tactics:

• do precisely as you are told, and no more;
• avoid eye contact with the robber;
• speak only when spoken to;
• tell the robber exactly what you are doing;
• make no sudden movements;
• don't activate alarms unless it is safe to do so;
• try to remain calm and control your emotions; and
• remember as many details as possible about the bandit and the incident.

Insurance against armed robbery: There are a range of types of insurance cover for retail businesses, including insurance against the loss of money, either 'in-transit' or 'on-site'. Premiums depend on the sum insured.

Maximise chances of prosecution

Ensure that staff are trained to act appropriately after an armed robbery.

Raise the alarm as soon as it is safe to do so, perhaps by activating an alarm during the robbery.

Phone the police immediately on 000 (free call), or local police in the country, giving:

• name and address of premises, area and location including nearest cross street;
• number of offenders and description;
• description of weapon used;
• description of vehicle used and direction of travel.

Make sure you call the police before you call anyone else.

Preserving the crime scene: After an armed robbery, do the following.

Close the premises to the public and keep out unauthorised people. Isolate the area for later forensic examination, in particular fingerprints. Keep staff away from areas the offender was in, places he/she may have touched, and any articles left behind, such as a ransom note.

Get staff to independently note down a description of the offender and the words used in the crime. First impressions are vital.

Do not make statements to the media without clearing it with the police.

Do not comment on how much money was involved except to the police.

Give police all details, even those which seem insignificant to you.

Identifying the offender: Any small detail may help the police apprehend the offender. Watch out for:

Physical appearance:

• height
• age
• build
• colouring
• hair
• tattoos, scars, prominent or unusual features
• clothing

Behaviour:

• speech, accents, language used
• nicknames
• actions/interactions with other offenders

Other aspects:

• weapons used
• method of escape
• vehicles used for escape
• direction of travel when escaping

To produce a computerised facial identification/photo fit police may be able to reconstruct the offender's face from your description. However, the result will only be as good as the description provided. Police specialists may ask you to describe the following parts of the face:

• hair (length and style), forehead and ears
• eyes and eyebrows (shape) nose (length and shape)
• mouth (width and shape)
• chin (length and shape).

Use a reference point in the store to determine the offender's height, for example, some shelves or mark on the wall.

The prosecution process: The success of a prosecution against armed robbery depends on evidence from victims and witnesses. You may therefore become involved in the prosecution process. Police will be available to guide you through the judicial system.

You may be asked to view a line-up to identify the offender. If the police arrest somebody, you may have to attend a Magistrates' Court hearing to give evidence based on your previous statement to the police. You may also be required to give evidence in a higher court before a judge and jury. In both cases, you will be represented by a police or crown prosecutor and enjoy the total support and guidance of police investigators.

In the event of an armed robbery, take the following seven steps:

1. Activate any alarm you may have as soon as it is safe to do so.
2. Call the police-before you do anything else.
3. Close the premises to the public.