NCJ Number
189399
Date Published
2001
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined all bank robberies, completed and attempted, reported to the United Kingdom's Metropolitan Police in the years 1992-1994.
Abstract
The data showed the rate of repeat victimization against the same bank branches to be high, with each robbed branch suffering an average of 1.54 robberies, and the most robbed branch suffering six robberies. Repeat robberies followed the success of earlier robberies, with the probability of repetition being roughly predictable from the average sum taken (with attempts counting zero) at prior robberies of the same branch. Repeat robberies were less successful than first robberies, presumably because of security enhancements or staff training following the earlier robbery. Repeat robberies tended to occur soon after first robberies, and indirect evidence suggested that repeat robberies were substantially the work of the original robbers. This was consistent with more direct evidence from other studies. A surprising and potentially important conclusion of the study was that banks differed greatly in their likelihood of repeat victimization. Additional data should be obtained so as to confirm this. The study recommends that the Home Office Crime Prevention Agency call a meeting of senior bank security staff to discuss the data from the current study. 3 tables, 1 figure, and 12 references