Bank robbery no longer pays

Last year saw the lowest ever number of bank robberies recorded in the UK, according to figures published today by the British Bankers’ Association.

The BBA’s annual Physical Security Report shows last year showed a continuation of the steady decline in traditional counter robberies, with 106 attacks recorded by banks. Losses from robberies were also down £0.5 million in the year.

Bank robberies peaked in 1992, when there were more than 800 in the UK, but numbers have fallen as banks have tightened security procedures. Panic alarms, changes to bank layouts and increasing use of closed circuit television have made it more difficult for criminals to get away with robbery.

BBA Chief Executive Angela Knight said: “Today’s figures show that bank robbery is a crime that no longer pays. Banks will not tolerate threats to their customers and staff. They have invested heavily in countermeasures, created effective partnerships with security firms and worked with the police to consign bank robbery to history.

“The message to criminals is clear: bank robbery is a crime that emphatically does not pay.”

Effective collaboration between the banks, the security companies and the police has helped to stem the tide of attacks, particularly in the London area. A 23 per cent reduction in losses has been achieved by banks ensuring a safe and secure cash handling environment, greater intelligence sharing and targeted police action.

Those criminals who do attack banks show ever greater willingness to use violence. The BBA figures support the Home Office crime statistics that the use of firearms is becoming more widespread. In 2007 nearly half (49 per cent) of all bank robberies involved firearms but other weapons are also becoming more commonplace. A series of high value raids, predominantly in Merseyside, Manchester and Birmingham, saw bank staff attacked with guns, sledgehammers, knives and machetes.

Success in reducing bank robberies has seen a displacement of crime, particularly to attacks on security guards moving money between banks. In 2007 the BBA recorded 319 such attacks on security guards servicing bank branches and cash machines. Although down eight per cent on the previous year, this figure is still the second highest number of such attacks recorded by the BBA.