This is the first time that all of the major players have committed to a ‘framework for action’ in order to reduce the level of this type of crime.
The Charter covers a number of central issues, among them:
The Charter was signed ahead of a recent Home Office Summit on Cash-in-Transit crime attended by representatives from Government, the security industry, the police service, banks, local authorities and Trade Unions.
Tony McNulty – Minister of State for Crime Reduction, Policing, Community Safety and Counter-Terrorism – was the Keynote Speaker, and used his time to outline the Government’s commitment to reducing CIT attacks.
The Minister said: “Cash-in-Transit robbery is rare outside our biggest cities, with barely over 1,000 incidents in the whole of the UK throughout last year. Excellent work is already under way to tackle the problem, but we can still do more. These incidents not only levy a grave human cost, they also feed the underworld economy and damage business.”
Lateral thinking is the answer
The Minister continued: “As with most types of crime, we can tackle Cash-in-Transit robbery effectively by thinking laterally, and joining forces with the people it affects.
“The new Charter sets out in black and white a spirit of co-operation between Government, business, the security industry, Trade Unions and the police and lays down real objectives for action and change. I look forward to seeing positive results flow from it.”
A number of Workshops were held at the Summit, and suggestions put forward as to how Stakeholders can actively make changes in helping to combat this type of crime. A round table discussion is to be convened by the Home Office this summer, after which a concerted Plan of Action will be formulated.
Commenting on the Charter, BSIA chief executive David Dickinson told SMT: “The Cash-in-Transit Summit and the Charter are both vital steps towards ensuring that all of the key Stakeholders are working together to share Best Practice and protect the safety of Cash-in-Transit couriers across the UK. I look forward to the partnerships being formed producing tangible results for our people.”
Other speakers at the Summit included Ian Nisbet (BSIA Cash-in-Transit Section chairman) and Gary Smith of the GMB Trade Union.
