Regional forces come together to tackle ATM and Cash in Transit robberies
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In the lead-up to Christmas, officers from the six police forces in the North West—Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, and North Wales—have teamed up with the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) and the security sector to launch a joint operation that targets ATM and cash-in-transit robberies.
The action will be co-ordinated by the ROCU, the regional collaboration to tackle serious and organised crime groups involved in drug trafficking, firearms, armed robberies, aggravated burglaries and other serious crimes.
This week marks the start of a regional campaign in which police will use covert and high-visibility patrols to protect businesses and enable security vehicles to carry out their regular deliveries, and increase awareness on socal media across the region.
The deployment of armed police cars to accompany high-risk security vehicles as they carry out cash deliveries, CCTV monitoring, and patrol cars that follow cash-handling vehicles are just a few of the tactics that forces will use. A dye or DNA marking solution will also be included in every cash container. When the container is opened, the dye or marking solution will be released, rendering the notes traceable and unuseable.
Over the past four years the region has seen great successes in combating Cash-in-Transit and ATM robberies with more than 40 offenders being convicted and sentenced to more than 300 years in prison.
Detective Chief Inspector Clare Ellis from the NWROCU’s Regional Intelligence Unit, said:
"Over the past few years, there has been a notable decline in cash-in-transit and ATM robberies in the North West; however, we remain vigilant."
"We're committed to stopping offenders from committing these often violent crimes, so we're working with partners throughout the North West and beyond to drive it down futher. It's categorically not an easy way to make money, nor is it a victimless crime. Cash in transit robbereis are dangerous and often linked to other serious violent crimes."
Sarah Staff, Head of SaferCash, a security initiative hosted by the British Security Industry Association, said:
Sarah Staff, Head of SaferCash, a security initiative hosted by the British Security Industry Association, said:
"Over the last few years, the Cash in Transit industry has seen a marked reduction in robberies and attacks against their staff and these reductions are a true testimony to the successful close working collaboration between the CViT industry and UK Policing.
"Nationally the North West region has always suffered the greatest numbers of attacks and we really welcome these opportunities to work alongside police forces within the region and fully support this proactive Christmas campaign. The supply of cash to our high streets shops and ATMs is often the lifelines of local communities and reducing the fear of crime and ensuring the safety of CViT crews is so important.
"Through SaferCash we endeavour to work hard together to support the police in any way we can, and I would always encourage anyone with information relating to ATM or Cash in Transit crime to call Crimestoppers, a national crime prevention charity on 0800 555 111, to help the police continue to combat this serious area of crime."
Detective Chief Inspector Peter Stephenson, Force Intelligence Bureau, Merseyside Police said:
“We actively share intelligence with other police forces in the northwest and work in partnership with businesses in the security sector to prevent such cash in transit robberies from taking place. When these robberies do occur, we thoroughly investigate and liaise with other forces to identify if there is a connection with similar incidences on their patch.
“I must stress that cash in transit robberies is not a victimless crime, as it effects not just the company and the employees/security guard who could be harmed in a robbery, but the community where the money was stolen from too. Moreover, the stolen money is usually used by organised crime groups to purchase weapons which in turn they can inflict fear and violence in the community.
"We do everything we can to investigate and gather all evidence so that it leads to the identification of a suspect and get a conviction.
“However please be assured that we are increasing patrols across the Merseyside region and providing a highly invisible presence on the streets over the festive season.”
Detective Superintendent Ian Hussey, Cumbria Constabulary, said:
"Cumbria is a safe place to live - but we are never complacent about the potential for any type of offence happening here.
"Robberies such as these are often violent crimes that can have a life-changing impact on people who are simply going about their jobs trying to earn an honest living.
"These crimes are not just against financial institutions but also have a detrimental community impact and disrupt our daily lives, convenience and safety.
"Together with the other forces in the north west, we are committed to stopping those involved and will use all powers available to us to target these criminals and prevent offences.
"By the public reporting a suspicious incident or criminal action they are helping catch criminals who have no regard for the impact such crimes have on people.
"Suspicious activity could be a vehicle that appears out of place in the area of a cash delivery or people loitering around premises that routinely receive cash drops."