Latest statistics from the British Security Industry Association suggest there has been a 28 percent drop in cash-in-transit attacks in the second half of 2007, following the implementation of a cash-in-transit action plan.
Between January and June 2007 there were 617 attacks, compared to 422 in the second half of the year.
The plan – which was signed at the Home Office in May – for the first time bound together the key players into a framework for action.
Explaining the plan, BSIA Chief Executive, David Dickinson, said: “The initiative has involved complex overt and covert Police operations in police forces across the country; considerable investment by the security industry in the introduction of new technologies to deter and detect attacks; the increasing implementation of best practice when dealing with CIT deliveries amongst the banking industry; and significantly increased communication and intelligence sharing between all the stakeholders.
“This has resulted in significant numbers of arrests of late and exemplary sentences have been passed on those convicted.”
He added: “These actions have already achieved results over the past six months, but the battle against cash-in-transit attacks has yet to be won. All the stakeholders are determined to do everything they can to achieve a further significant reduction in attacks during 2008, offering continuing innovation and the deployment of significant resources.”
Gary Smith, GMB National Officer said: “There is a welcome drop in the figures, but it is coming down from an extremely high figure. There is no figure that is acceptable to GMB members. The resources being put into lowering the figures by the Government, Police and BSIA must be maintained to continue to bring the figures down.”
Cash-in-transit attacks are highest in the south east where there were 684 in 2007, and lowest in Wales where there were just eight.