The FINANCIAL — The European Banking Federation published on December 10 its latest Report on Bank Robberies. Overall 2006 statistics show that by far and away, most raids take place during normal office/cash hours (93%).
Based on the contributions submitted by national banking associations, the Report analyses the situation in European countries and other industrialised States, such as Canada or Japan.
The Report aims to detect the general tendencies in the field of bank security, as well as the new developments and the measures for counteracting.
“It is important to note that the drop in the number of robberies that had been initiated in 2005 continued in 2006, with a 5% decrease in the overall number of attacks”, European Banking federation says. “This may be due to the fact that in most countries the number of branches continues to fall, in favour of the use of electronic banking. The trend of installing money boxes in shops or publics areas is also increasing. Furthermore, cash handling is more and more often outsourced to specialised companies, not only for efficiency or cost reasons but also in view of the security risks”.
Nonetheless, even though total losses were significantly lower, the average booty is rather stable and still high. In 2006, total losses decreased by 2% as compared to 2005 but the average loss per successful raid increased slightly.
“The problem of robberies is constant and will remain as long as money exists, declared Guido Ravoet, Secretary General of the EBF. It is crucial that we bring together all stakeholders and establish sound co-operation procedures to limit risks and negative consequences in terms of losses of course but most of all in terms of danger to employees and clients”.
Risks related to robberies are generally evolving. Traditional ways of operating are still used but new ones are developing. There is a focus of criminal activities on ATM-centred raids.
Furthermore, a striking development is that some countries have to cope with increasingly of violent ways of operating. The use of violence is reported in nearly every country, committed both by amateurs and by professionals. In parallel, victims support is provided for both staff and customers in almost every country.
Overall 2006 statistics show that by far and away, most raids take place during normal office/cash hours (93%). Although the total number of hold-ups involving kidnapping remains very low in Europe, it seems to be rising constantly. Security officers must try to anticipate new threats and limit risks as much as possible, especially for the bank’s employees and clients. The EBF recommends specific measures to limit the risks and to counter attacks. The most effective measure to fight bank robberies is naturally police intervention.
“Bank Robberies and Other Bank Raids in Europe”
Public Summary of the Confidential Report published by the European Banking Federation
Like every year, the EBF just published its updated report on bank robberies and other bank raids in Europe. Based on the contributions submitted by national banking associations, the present report analyses the situation in European countries and other industrialised States, such as Canada or Japan. In addition, figures provided by almost all the banking associations that have the status of Associates of the Federation, have been included. The report is however confidential, and solely intended for the use of national banking associations, their members, and the police authorities as far as they are involved in the fight against bank robberies.
This is a summary of the Report, outlining general trends and proposed solutions. Only this summary is publicly available. It should also be noted that, for the purpose of this report, the term “robbery” has been used to cover attempts, successful or not, to steal cash or other valuables from a bank. This definition includes all forms of raids and attacks, other than burglaries, irrespective of whether the perpetrator acts with premeditation or spontaneously, uses weapons or not, is violent or not, shows aggression or otherwise.
1. Robberies and other types of violent raids
During the annual meeting of the Physical Security Working Group of the European Banking Federation held in Rome on 19 June 2007, attention was again focused on Bank raids.
An analysis, based on a statistical and practical exchange of information, was made of the financial institutions’ exposure to criminal actions. The meeting led to a series of conclusions that have highlighted general tendencies. Firstly, the drop in number of robberies that had been initiated in 2005, continued.
Nonetheless, even though total losses were significantly lower, the average booty is rather stable and still high. Secondly, the risks are evolving. The development in the field of risks for branches to be attacked which were detected a few years ago, are becoming more and more widespread. Traditional ways of operating are still used but new ones are developing. There is a focus of criminal activities on ATM centred raids.
Furthermore, a striking development is that some countries have to cope with the increase of violent ways of operating i.e. tiger kidnapping, threats and increasing organised crime. The use of violence is reported in nearly every country, committed both by amateurs and by professionals. Moreover, the development in banking networks, and more specifically the desire to relieve banking personnel of tasks linked to the treatment of cash, leads to a gradual modification of the modus operandi. Another trend is the worrying development of e-crimes. 2006 is considered as the worst year so far. It is easy to get criminal software from the Internet and techniques are rapidly evolving.
2. Trends
2.1 Number of Robberies In 2006, 5.406 bank robberies were committed, which is less (-5%) than in 2005.
2.2 Target – The rapidly evolving branches In most countries the number of branches continues to fall, due to the policy of enhancing services efficiency by promoting the use of electronic banking. More and more ATMs are installed off- premises, either through the wall or completely stand alone. The trend of installing money boxes in shops or public areas is continuing.
In some countries, over half of the ATMs are located in supermarkets. Cash handling is increasingly being outsourced to specialised companies. This is done not only for efficiency or cost reasons but also in view of the security risks. Nonetheless, the bank branch currently still remains one of the biggest distribution channels, but is also evolving in terms of concept. In some countries, the desire to limit operations with little added value leads to a progressive transformation of certain bank branches, particularly towards branches that are more specialised in advice and sometimes cashless.
This reform of branches also leads banks to guide their clients toward machines for cash delivery. Consequently, the number and use of ATMs keeps rising. Other types of machines are also appearing: cash recycling machines, machines for cash deposing or dispensing, cheque processing, etc.
2.3 Perpetrators
It is difficult to gather precise information about the people committing robberies and other aggressions towards banks. However, some trends can be observed. Although it may vary from one country to another, raiders can be divided into two main groups. Firstly, the more professional-type of raider who, well prepared, often using extreme violence and tailor-made means, targets the big money. Secondly, there is a growing group of amateurs.
The proportion between the groups of amateurs and professionals varies from country to country. Overall, however, the proportion of amateurs seems to be the highest. An alarming trend is the continuing increase in the use of violence during raids. Some perpetrators do not hesitate to take more risks, with regard to the means employed, e.g. explosives which are difficult to handle, or particularly with regard to the duration of the aggressions linked to certain modus operandi.
2.4 Protective counter-measures
Security officers confronted with new threats must try to anticipate and limit risks as much as possible, especially for the bank’s employees and clients.
The most effective measure to fight bank robberies is police intervention. In countries where the police actively concentrate on groups of raiders, the robbery statistics are falling. In this connection it should be remembered that groups, often younger raiders, commit series of robberies.
The sooner the criminal career of these robbers is interrupted, the better. In this connection repression is the best prevention. An overall review of protective measures has shown that metal detectors are used to a limited extent while surveillance cameras are used to a greater extent. Attack alarms are broadly used. This also applies to burglar alarms. In addition to investigative tools, it is important that, for each individual bank office, a proper alarm, communication, and attack plan is prepared in collaboration with the police.
While reducing the chance of an escalation of attacks, it increases the chances of arrest of the perpetrators. Moreover, the protection of the cashier area by means of bullet-proof (and burglar-proof) glazing remains customary, in spite of a developing trend towards more open offices. Victim support is also consistently in place in all countries (for staff and sometimes – on a limited scale – for customers).
3. The future
Robbery analyses indicate that protection against robbery and burglary will require constant attention in the future as well. Criminals will always try to find means to circumvent the security measures taken by banks.
The number of raids may slow down in various countries, often due to measures taken, but chiefly as a result of police efforts to invest funds and manpower in the fight against robbery. Public-Private Partnerships i.e. between banks and the police as well as the judiciary, are interesting tools for the follow-up on crime. Moreover, another trend to be discussed in the future is the increase of e-crimes and the need of more efficient computer security systems. There are more and more effective means to perpetrate e-“bank raids”, especially through criminal software available on the Internet.
Even if other channels of distribution have been developed over recent years, the “good old bank branch” is still very much alive. The branch concept, however, will undoubtedly continue to evolve towards greater automation with regard to the deposit and withdrawal of cash.
The number of ATMs on- or off-site will only increase. Banks are also expected to outsource their cash-handling more and more. All these changes lead to an increasingly less uniform branch concept, and constitute new and important challenges for the banks’ security officers. More and more monies are concentrated in automats. This implies that security problems are shifting towards ATMs. Particular protective measures must be taken therefore in and around the ATM environment (ATM themselves, as well as their servicing).
