Learning how to foil a bank robbery is the best thing that can happen to any firm. When criminals attempt to wage war against your organization, but such is intelligently repelled, the institution will be at peace and feel fulfilled. However, foiling robbery attack is one of the hardest things to do. In this piece, I will be providing a guide on how you can actively foil robbery attempt on your bank.
Install surveillance cameras. The most basic step that a bank can take is to record the activities on the main floor of the bank. Cameras should be highly visible, so potential bank robbers will know that their image will be captured (Wolfe, 2019). This is the most security measure that any bank shouldn’t joke with. Making people to understand that their activities are being captured cautions them from taking ill steps.
Hire security personnel. Security, like the cameras, should be highly visible. Make sure the guards wear uniforms and are stationed in positions in which they can see everyone and everyone can see them. If possible, hire off-duty police officers or other guards licensed to carry weapons (Wolfe, 2019). There is no amount that is too huge to spend on security. Security personnel are trained and can notice danger from afar. Situations that you would have been overlooked but dangerous would be easily spotted by security officers.
Make use of bullet-proof glass. Protective material should be installed between the cashier’s window and the area where customers stand. This will prevent the likelihood of a successful armed stickup and protect the cashiers in the event of violence (Wolfe, 2019). You need to be prepared for any violent situation that you know can cause harm to your employees. Buy bullet-proof glass to safeguard them from possible violent attack.
Maintain a good and professional customer service relationship. Believe it or not, customer service is actually one of the best theft deterrents out there. Evans told The Financial Brand that as a robber, one of the first things he did was to case various financial institutions to see how employees acted. What was he looking for? Most of the time, it was just a simple hello. “The last thing a robber wants is for someone to notice them. Someone to look them in the eyes,” he told the media outlet. With this in mind, your bank can instantly step up security by training employees to be alert, friendly and responsive. Greet people when they come in the door and pay attention to their movements throughout the branch. In this instance, customer service itself is the security measure (ARCA, 2019). I so much like this form of preventive measure. Looking at it, it’s very effective but not costly. The firm is not subjected to undue expenses and that is the major focus of our training services at LPS Training Services.
Maintain a formidable ground with your team. Like with customer service, other steps taken by your employees can help deter robberies. One such option is how your employees act. According to Evans, a talkative former girlfriend and bank employee clued him in to a variety of the inner workings of banks. You may want to have your employees all sign non-disclosure agreements that extend beyond their employment. The less they talk about what goes on behind the scenes, the safer your bank will be. Furthermore, your employees’ behavior during a robbery can improve security. They can trip silent alarms or alert coworkers. They could also act slowly or communicate with the thief about the small amount of cash on hand and the length of time it will take for them to get what they need (ARCA, 2019). There is simply no alternative to human capital development. Any organization that trivializes the place of human resources is at the mercies of criminals.
Reorganize the entire bank system. Above all else, how your bank is designed can prevent robberies and improve security. For example, any technology that automates the cash cycle can be beneficial in this case. Options include cash recyclers, which accurately count cash and secure the money itself. For tellers, these tools can deter criminals because they can limit the amount of cash on hand – and the amount that can be withdrawn during any one transaction. Another option is a cash dispenser, which has a similar effect on robberies. Overall, technology is one of your greatest allies when it comes to security. You want your bank to have systems in place that handle cash transactions and streamline the process for your employees. This lowers the amount of risk and allows your team to focus more on security, awareness and customer service. All of this is a win for your bank branch (ARCA, 2019).
Make sure the building is well-lit and visible from the street. If the activities inside a building are clearly visible to passersby, bank robbers may be more easily deterred. Install large glass windows for increased visibility (Wolfe, 2019). You cannot afford to situate your bank branch at a wrong location. Make sure your building is located at a place where people can easily see when something is going wrong.
Post signs stating that you keep little cash on hand and you have a security system. If potential robbers are informed that a bank has little money to steal and that they have a likelihood of being identified, they may choose another bank. In addition, vary your routes when delivering cash. When transporting money to and from the bank, carry it at different times along different routes. Change drivers frequently and don’t stop along the way when carrying cash (Wolfe, 2019).
In conclusion, give your staff adequate training. After you have installed all physical security measures, train staff in safety precautions and how to act in the event of a robbery. Standardize opening and closing procedures, and make sure that more than one employee is present in the building at all times (Wolfe, 2019). This is in addition to every other point I have earlier mentioned relating to manpower development.
References
ARCA (2019). Think Like A Thief: How To Prevent Robberies At Your Bank. Retrieved from https://arca.com/resources/blog/think-like-a-thief-how-to-prevent-robberies-at-your-bank
McGlasson, L (2008). How To Foil A Bank Robbery. Retrieved from https://www.bankinfosecurity.com/how-to-foil-bank-robbery-a-690
Wolfe, M (2019). How To Prevent A Bank Robbery. Retrieved from https://careertrend.com/how-to-prevent-a-bank-robbery-13648144.html