Keeping One Step Ahead (From Armed Robbery: Proceedings of a Seminar Held 22-24 March 1988, P 55-58, Dennis Challinger, ed. -- See NCJ-119997)

• NCJ Number: 120002
• Author(s): B Weston
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology; National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: For microfiche, see NCJ-119997.

Annotation

This document explores the need for better security equipment and procedures to prevent armed robbery.

Abstract

Historically, alarm systems in financial institutions have consisted of vault and/or safe alarms with very few systems specifically designed to be used in the case of armed robbery. However, during the period of 1969 to 1975, thousands of financial institution branches received varying upgrades in their armed robbery security, most notably, the photo surveillance camera. Due to the inadequacy of equipment to discriminate between genuine and false signals, branch alarm systems then needed to be technically upgraded. Pop-up screens and bullet-resistant glass enabled staff and customers to do their business in a secure environment. These precautions together with stiffer penalties for armed robbery may help deter bank robbery.