Better security for cash couriers says Emily

Friday 25th November 2005

Emily Thornberry MP has called for better protection for cash couriers after a number of shocking and violent attacks in the Islington area.  She has signed an Early Day Motion which calls on the government to tackle the problem urgently as part of its wider organised crime agenda. 

Ms Thornberry said:

“I am extremely concerned about the increase of guns and knives being used in these types of robberies.  Some kind of weapon was used in over half of the attacks on cash transit vans in 2004 which is an extremely worrying statistic.  Money is not the important issue. What matters is protecting people, staff and customers from violence.”

There were four attacks on cash transit van staff in Ms Thornberry’s constituency, Islington South and Finsbury, in 2004 and another assault in June of this year.  During a robbery at Nationwide Building Society, Upper Street in December last year a courier was struck in the face with a handgun by an attacker who took a substantial amount of money.  The victim had to attend hospital where he received 15 stitches for a laceration to his mouth.  

The attack that occurred earlier this year, in June, took place at 10.15am at Barclays Bank, Islington Green.  The courier was approached by a man with a handgun who managed to take a considerable amount of cash before escaping on a motorbike. Fortunately the courier was not injured.

In 2004 the UK accounted for 70% of all cash transit van crimes in Europe with 763 attacks, half of which involved some kind of weapon.  Group 4 Securicor and the GMB Union are working together to try and combat this CVIT crime, as is Ms Thornberry. 

Editors Notes:

EDM 967 – Combating Cash Delivery in Transit
That this House deplores the number of cash and valuables in transit (CVIT) attacks on security industry staff over the past two years; is concerned about the increased use of violent weapons such as guns and knives in such attacks; notes that in 2004 a member of the public was tragically killed and a number of staff were shot and stabbed; commends the bravery of the crews who deliver the cash; recognises that the provision of cash is an essential service to consumers and business alike; welcomes the joint initiatives pursued by Group 4 Securicor, GMB union, BSIA and police forces in order to prevent attacks and protect employees and the general public; calls on the Government to recognise CVIT attacks as a human rather than purely a business crime and to tackle this problem urgently as part of its wider organised crime agenda.