The cash management industry needs to tighten its security measures, including the options of utilising technology to make it more difficult or impossible for criminals to disarm the cash-in-transit vehicles.
This was echoed by Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa when he addressed a sector forum between the Ministry of Police, representatives from the cash-in-transit, private security, business as well as the banking sectors in Pretoria today. This consultation is part of a commitment made by the minister of actively engaging both cash risk management and cash-in-transit industries in addressing security risks facing them.
“We are aware that cash-in-transit robbers often make use of inside information when planning and executing heists. This information comes largely from people employed by cash-in-transit service providers. In the majority of attacks the provision of this information is crucial to the success of the robbery.”
The minister emphasised the need to develop and implement legislations aimed at reducing vulnerabilities within the cash-in-transit industry. “In dealing a blow to these heists there is a need to look at various solutions, including possible technological advances that could reduce cash-in-transit heists. We cannot address robberies simply by arming the guards who transport cash. These heists, like the vast majority of armed robberies, have the acquisition of cash as the main motivation behind the robbery.”
“We are also aware that the criminals involved in cash-in-transit heists are highly organised and plan these attacks with relative precision. These robbers often have access to a variety of weaponry and are able to upscale this weaponry should the conditions necessitate it.”
The minister stressed that while police may have recently had significant inroads into crushing some of these heist networks, through the directorate for priority crime investigations or “the hawks” by arresting some of the kingpins; it is important for this industry to address their own risks and to implement preventative measures.
“We recognise that there are a variety of different companies with different resources available to them and what we need to look at is a set of minimum standards that will be implemented by all companies. We need to ensure these companies take seriously their responsibilities to protect, not only their clients but their guards and the public who are affected by cash-in-transit heists,” added the minister.
The ministry is not addressing the cash-in-transit industry in isolation as this sector forms part an overall cash supply chain, all of which are vulnerable to cash robberies. We are equally aware that when the vulnerabilities in one area are reduced the risk can be transferred to any other weaker link within the chain. For this reason we also intend to engage with the retail, small business and cash businesses to see what can be done to reduce the risks across the entire spectrum of businesses that are affected by cash robberies
For enquiries, please contact:
Zweli Mnisi
Cell: 082 045 4024
Issued by: South African Police Service
19 February 2010
