Cash-in-transit firms beef up security amid tiger-kidnap threat
Firms delivering massive sums of cash have stepped up their security as efforts to stop tiger-kidnapping gangs continue, it was revealed today.
After 13 such attacks in as many weeks, cash-in-transit operators Brinks and Securicor have developed new tactics to protect their staff and the money they carry.
One of the changes being made is for the vehicle locker opening system to be remotely controlled from a central location.
Securicor revealed it had implemented the system while Brinks said it was in the process of doing so. Staff will only be given access to the money if the vehicle is in the correct location at the right time, and all this will be checked through GPS.
“This means that the crew on the vehicle can only access cash in the truck when it is opened remotely,” Securicor said.
“The location of the vehicle is also verified by the GPS satellite tracking system before remote opening can take place to ensure that the truck is where it is expected to be before releasing the cash.”
Other improvements being looked at by cash-in-transit firms are closer GPS monitoring of vehicles and cash boxes and more efficient automatic dying systems.
Some firms are also keen on delivery convoys whereby vans from various companies would travel together in packs therefore reducing the risk of thefts, but this has yet to be backed by the Gardaí or Department of Justice.
It is believed, however, such a move may do little to prevent tiger-kidnappings.
Officials are also looking at using more elaborate codes on vans.
But security firms which months ago proposed being allowed to use bus lanes and special parking zones outside banks have yet to have any response from the Department.
Alan Radford, Brinks country manager, said: “Each of the companies are taking their own different measures in conjunction with staff and policing. The vehicle locker opening process, this is one of the ways and is being put in place as we speak.”
Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell welcomed the move.
“That should go some way to reducing the risk to staff of these companies from threats at the point of delivery,” he said.
Mr McDowell said he wanted to see change from within the industry including banks, financial institutions and cash-in-transit firms.
“But I will lay down the law if it has to be done and I’m waiting for a full report from the Commissioner of An Garda Síochana as to whether what changes Securicor has done applies to every other company,” he said.
The moves come after an emergency summit of industry heads with Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy
It followed the weekend kidnapping of a couple in their 60s during a €1.3m raid of a Securicor cash-in-transit van.
A working group, headed by Chief Superintendent Pat Hogan, is being set up to structure and implement measures to enhance vulnerable areas of cash movements. But Mr McDowell said he was awaiting a report from the Commissioner following the talks on all the steps security firms intended to take.
Talks in June 2005 led to agreement between the Republic’s major banks, security firms, the gardai and the Private Security Authority on a voluntary code of practice.
The measures, to be implemented by the end of last month, included the installation of impenetrable security boxes, more advanced satellite tracking equipment and increased CCTV usage.
There have been three tiger-kidnaps already this year – the west Dublin incident last weekend, one in Donegal and an unsuccessful attempt in Swords, north Dublin.
| Related Stories: |
|
