Retail: secure cash transport

Robberies of stores, travel agencies, exchange offices, cash messengers, gas stations, etc. are rarely mere random acts, but "opportunities" scouted out by the perpetrators, says the police security guide of the Swiss Crime Prevention (SKP). And further: robberies are also committed when only a small booty is to be expected.

The forwarding of daily takings in the retail sector is associated with risks and should generally only be carried out by professional cash-in-transit companies. While the use of such service providers is generally already standard practice for larger retail companies, it is often too costly for smaller and independent retail businesses. Here, it is the entrepreneurs themselves or the employees they commission who transport the sales proceeds to the bank.

The following are notes to two target groups.

Notes for entrepreneurs

The following points are central:

Daily revenues of the retail trade should generally be brought to the bank by professional cash and valuables transport companies. One often cost-effective option here is the use of group cash transports, which are offered primarily in inner-city areas or in shopping centers.

Larger amounts of money must be kept in a container that cannot be opened by the cashier until they are forwarded to the bank or savings bank.

Valuable containers: In the event of any necessary temporary storage of sales proceeds, only certified secure storage units (safes) in accordance with DIN EN 1143-1 should be used. In doing so, it should be noted:

• A rating plate with classification is located on the inside of the secure container.
• The level of resistance to be selected depends on the expected daily takings as well as on the specifications of the insurer.
• The secure storage units used must be set up or mounted in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.
• The secure storage units must be placed in rooms with appropriate mechanical and electrical/electronic protection.

Cash transport, in-house solution: If it is not possible to use cash-in-transit companies, the amount of money to be transported should be kept small by splitting it among several transports.

• If possible, at least two employees who are both of age and physically fit are to be used as cash messengers.
• These employees must undergo training at least every six months in which they are instructed on the rules of conduct for cash transports.
• Local and temporal details of the cash transports are to be kept secret as far as possible and are to be communicated exclusively to the commissioned cash messenger.
• To keep the distance of the cash transport as short as possible, a nearby financial institution is preferable.
• Both the forwarding and the temporary storage of the daily takings are subject to, among others, the rules of the Professional Association for Retail Trade.
• The entrepreneur is obliged to determine the risk situation existing for his employees and, on this basis, to assess which technical, structural and organizational protection and security measures are required (Rules for Safety and Health Protection when Handling Means of Payment in Sales Points - R3). These include, for example, the installation of hold-up detectors in the cash handling rooms and the provision of secure storage units equipped with time locks.

Notes for money messengers

Cash transports must always be carefully planned. They must not become routine so that potential offenders do not use their knowledge of regular habits of cash messengers to commit the crime.

• Cash transports should be carried out at varying times, by different routes and, if possible, during daylight hours.
• For tactical reasons, it is advisable for the money messenger not to use back exits and to avoid streets and squares that are difficult to see.
• Before and during the transport of money, the surroundings should be observed with special attention. The cash messenger should take note of suspicious persons and, if possible, note their vehicle registration number (therefore, always carry a notepad and writing utensil). Special attention should be paid to persons who are in a suspicious manner in front of the store or the last customer inside.
• Weapons should not be carried on principle. On the other hand, it is recommended to carry cell phones in order to be able to notify the police as quickly as possible in an emergency.
• For so-called non-professional cash messengers, it is advisable to carry out the transfer of the day's takings in such a way that they cannot be recognized as such by outsiders. Inconspicuous cash containers should be used for this purpose. The specialized trade also offers suitable cash transport security systems (e.g. security cases, etc.) for retail employees.
• For longer distances to the financial institution, the use of a passenger car is preferable to public transportation for safety reasons.
• The journey to the financial institution should be made swiftly and without interruptions.
• If suspicious situations are detected during the transport of money, the money messenger should, as a rule, continue on his way inconspicuously and seek proximity to other persons and thus the protection of the public.

As is the case for the entrepreneur, the same applies to the money carrier: All details concerning the transport of money, in particular transport times and routes, as well as the amount of money to be transferred, must be kept secret.

Behavior during raids

The money messenger should not take any unnecessary risks, especially if the perpetrator is armed or superior. The protection of life and health always takes precedence over material values. The most important rule of conduct is therefore: stay calm, memorize the main features of the perpetrator, vehicle data and the direction of escape, and alert the police as soon as possible after the crime.

Perpetrator characteristics are: Age, height, hair color, clothing, special characteristics (injuries, scars, tattoos, etc.)

Vehicle data: Type, color, registration number, special features such as accident damage.

More information is available at all criminal investigative outreach clinics.

Author:

Hans Günter Lemke

Lemke Beratung - für mehr Erfolg im Einzelhandel, trainer, book author and retail consultant, Porta Westfalica/DE