Robbery Prevention

And Post-Robbery Follow-up

Presentation Highlights

Prevention Methodologies– Physical Security– Improving operational Procedures

What to do during a robbery– Employee and customer safety–What to look for

Post-robbery follow-up procedures– Securing the business– Preserving physical evidence

Robbery and Burglary Defined

Most states define robbery as taking something from someone by using force or threat of force

– Robbery is a violent crime

Burglary is often defined as entering a structure to commit a felony or a theft

– Burglary is a property crime

Why the Difference is Important

When speaking with the 9-1-1 operator:

– Make certain to explain that a robbery has occurred – not a burglary

– A burglary usually will not elicit an emergency response from police

Robbery Prevention Methods

The overall reason is to make businesses much more difficult targets by:– Improving physical security– Increasing store visibility and the

amount of lighting– Advertising that your business uses

time-delay safes, CCTV recording, armored couriers, security, etc.

– Reducing on-hand cash and other valuable items

– Creating employee awareness and training programs

Is there an Internal Connection?A large number of robberies are

inside jobs

Employers should perform careful background checks prior to hiring

Do any employees have drug or alcohol problems?

Has there been an observable change in a particular employee’s behavior?

Physical Security – “Hardening the Target”

Robbery prevention often involves improving a business’ physical security measures:

– Alarm systems & Panic buttons– Time-delay safes– CCTV & surveillance equipment– Security guards and armored

couriers– Cash controls and improving other

internal processes

Alarm Systems & Panic Buttons Ensure that key personnel are familiar with the

alarm systems’ operation

If your system is equipped with panic buttons, make certain that employees know their locations and how to work them

– Place a panic button near the safe

During a robbery, the panic buttons should be activated only if it is safe:

– Robbers often force employees to step away from registers, walls and counters…

Even if a panic buttons is activated, it is still necessary to dial 9-1-1

After a panic button has been activated, a manager should make certain that the alarm system has rest – contact the alarm company

Time-Delay Safes Remember, a safe without a time-delay

lock is a robber’s target

For employee safety, ensure that there is adequate warning signs and stickers throughout the premises

Reduce exposure to injury, time-delay safes should be kept in public areas, not offices or backrooms

– A robber has less witnesses and more time if the safe is in the back…

The managers input their code if a robber insists that the time-delay safe be opened

Surveillance Equipment Install public-view monitors at the

entrance – robbers will see their image as they enter your business

A camera should be placed directly over or near the cash safe

Sometimes robbers will demand the tape, CD or they’ll take the entire recording device, so it is a good idea to keep a dummy system in plain view

If a robber demands the tape or CD, provide him with a blank from the dummy system

The system should be maintained, so that video is always available for the police

Security Barriers & Bullet-Resistant Glass

Barriers and bullet-proof glass are a great way to protect employees

Employees must be disciplined and ensure the enclosures are always kept locked

However, if a robber takes a customer or employee hostage, the employee inside should immediately open the cage

Security and Armored Couriers Security guards often help employees to

feel more secure, but it is important to remember that many have poor training

– Check to ensure that appropriate levels of training have been met

– They should be posted in highly visible locations

Armored Couriers are the safest way to ensure that deposits get to the bank

– Managers should have deposits ready so that they do not delay courier

– It is a good idea to periodically adjust pickup times

Controlling Cash Managers should regularly perform

cash pulls or “skims”

– Remove excess cash from till and place securely inside safe

– If possible, this should be done when customers aren’t around

– Between pulls, place larger bills beneath the till

Employees should not flash money, or keep their tills open

Employees must not discuss money or how many sales they’ve made that day

Opening and Closings At least two employees should open

or close a business

At opening, prior to exiting their vehicles, employees should drive around building to check for suspicious people or signs of forced entry

Just prior to closing, employees should check business to ensure all customers have left

Employees should check outside before exiting, but one should remain locked inside until the other gives the “all clear” signal

Employee Awareness Teach employees to become aware of their

surroundings

Could there be an internal connection?

Make note of customers that ask probing or unusual questions:– Whether the business has cameras and alarms– How much cash is kept on the premises– How many employees usually work– Where the safe is located

Pay attention to customers who seem to be examining security equipment or the layout of the business

What to do During a Robbery Safety first, remain calm and do not

resist or attempt to apprehend the robber

Do not make any sudden movements, and inform the robber of any surprises – someone about to return

Follow the robber’s demands and do not try to be a hero

The key is to get the robber in and out as quickly as possible

What to do During a Robbery Cont.

Be certain to provide the robber with any marked bills or police tracking devices

Move cautiously but quickly, do not delay the robber as this may agitate him

Once the robbery is complete, do not wait for the robber to beat someone or tie them up; tell everyone to lie down on the ground and allow him to leave

Pay Close Attention Try to glean as much information

about the robber as possible, but don’t be obvious!

– Number of robbers– Racial background– Build, hair color & complexion– Tattoos or scars– Speech patterns– Clothing and weapon type– Vehicle type and direction of travel– Where the robber went when inside– What the robber touched

(fingerprints)

Help the Police – Protect Physical Evidence

If possible, leave everything as the robber left it

Do not touch anything, move everyone away from areas where the robber went

Things to pay close attention to:

– Any shell casings– Robber’s note– Fingerprints– Shoe prints– Hair, blood or any bodily fluids– Anything dropped by the robber

What to do After a Robbery An employee should immediately lock

the front doors, this keeps the robber from re-entering

Immediately dial 9-1-1, even if a panic button was activated:

Ask customers to remain until police arrive, if not, attempt to get contact info.

Have everyone immediately complete a witness ID form, and a written statement for police

Secure the surveillance video for the police.

What to say to the Police Operator:

Inform the operator that your were just robbed

Remain clam and speak clearly

Provide the business address

State whether there were any injuries, and if weapons were used

Provide any suspect descriptions

Get away vehicle and the robber’s direction of travel

Post-Robbery AssignmentsProvide robbery prevention

training, and run employees through drills

A manager or responsible employee should assign post-robbery duties, Team Work:– Someone to lock the doors– Someone to call the police– Someone to move people away

from affected areas– Someone to pass around suspect

ID forms, and have everyone write police statements

Creating a Robbery Prevention Program

Assign a project leader

Examine your business’ physical security measures, are they adequate?

Budget resources for the devices that are needed most.

Examine internal processes to reduce exposure

As a result of this examination, improved policy & procedures should be written

Create a training program that outlines specific post-robbery duties, and ensures that all employees are adequately trained with all aspects of robbery prevention

In Review…

Remember, prevention is about reducing the likelihood of robbery

Safety is the first and foremost concern

Well-trained employees will ensure safety and help the police apprehend the suspects

Create training programs and rehearse how to handle a robbery