Armed Robbery

Risk: Physical and psychological trauma

Likelihood: Highly Unlikely

Impact: High

Strategy: Do as they say, call Police

A small amount of planning may assist in reducing the risks of armed robbery to your business thereby maximising our safety 

Refer to the “Aggressive People Description” Document (attached below) for quick and easy reference and use by staff. 

The aim of any planning around armed robberies should be to:

• Prevent the business being targeted by offenders

• Maximise the safety of employees and customers

• Reduce the impact of the crime on the business

• Assist police in the apprehension process of any offender/s

PREVENTION

1. Be alert to strangers or individuals who may be observing the business or who are asking questions about how the business runs.

2. Ensure all back and side doors and windows are kept secure.

3. Do not discuss cash holdings or movements of cash in public.

4. Consider installation of a safe in a secure area but within close proximity to the cash register. The safe should be secured to a sturdy fixture.

5. Reduce cash held at counters to a workable minimum.

6. Predetermine and designate escape routes and safe areas for employees to move to when required. 

7. Ensure that staff members are aware of security and armed robbery procedures and what to do in the case of such an event. This routine should be regularly practiced as with any other type of emergency drill.

8. Make use of signage and stickers both inside and outside your business promoting security measures such as: time delay locks, video surveillance and minimum cash held on premises.

9. Consider installation of electronic methods of payment to reduce the amount of cash kept on hand. 

10. Consider the installation of additional security devices such as duress / panic buttons and quality Closed Circuit Television (CCTV). (Refer to ’Security of Business Premises’ card for further comment on CCTV) 

IN THE EVENT OF AN ARMED ROBBERY

1. Try to remain calm, assess the situation and do exactly as the offender says. Remember the number one priority is your safety, the safety of other staff and customers. 

2. Activate alarm devices as soon as possible but only if it is safe to do so.

3. Avoid sudden actions and calmly explain any necessary movements to the offender. These could pose an unintended threat to the offender, who may already be anxious and tense. 

4. Speak only when spoken to as any conversation with the offender will prolong the incident.

5. Unless otherwise ordered, discretely watch offender/s, making a mental note of their description especially scars, tattoos, prominent or other distinguishing features.

6. Avoid direct eye contact with the offender. 

7. Note the offenders conversation including any indecent language, accent, nicknames or speech impediments.

8. Observe and take note of any weapons that are being used.

9. If safe to do so, observe the direction of travel taken by the offender/s when they leave the premises.

10. If safe to do so, look to see if a vehicle has been used and if there are any other occupants, record the registration number, make, model and the colour of the car.

11. Never take drastic action during the robbery and do not chase the offender.

AFTER THE ROBBERY

1. Immediately telephone the police on 000, even if you have activated a hold up or duress alarm. Provide the police  telephone operator with:

   • Exact location – business name/address of where the crime occurred including the closest intersecting street 

   • Your name

   • Details of persons injured and whether medical assistance is required

   • Date / Time / Nature of offence

   • Number and description of offender/s including any vehicles used

   • Direction of travel

2. Only hang up the telephone when told to do so and stay off the phone until police arrive unless you remember additional information that may be important.

3. Close the premises to the public and keep unauthorised persons out.

4. Make sure that no person touches or moves any items where the offender/s was/were present.

5. Consider arranging someone to meet police outside, particularly in large shopping areas to make the response time more efficient.

6. Request that witnesses and customers remain until the police arrive – failing that, request their names, addresses and telephone numbers and pass them onto police when they arrive.

7. Make sure witnesses are isolated from each other or are aware not to discuss descriptions or what happened with other witnesses.

8. Witnesses should independently try to write a full description of offender/s and what actually occurred in as much detail as possible. (Refer to ‘Description Form’ at the back of the ‘Aggressive People’ card)

9. Do not make any statements to the media before discussing the matter with police.

10. Supply to police all details no matter how insignificant they appear to you. This could include earlier suspicious customers, rude, drunk or drug affected customers or simply details of certain cars constantly driving past.

11. Crime affects different people in different ways and the impact may not be felt immediately. Consideration should be given to organising professional trauma counselling for employees affected by the crime