Joint Xmas
operation to target cash in transit robberies
MERSEYSIDE Police have joined forces
with other Officers across the North West and the security industry, to launch a
joint operation, targeting cash in transit robberies, in the run up to Christmas
2016.
The action will be co-ordinated by Titan (North West Regional Organised Crime
Unit), the regional collaboration to tackle serious and organised crime groups
involved in drug trafficking, firearms, armed robberies, aggravated burglaries
and other serious crimes.
Officers from Titan, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire,
Cumbria and North Wales, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA),
SaferCash and other partner agencies will be working together to combat cash in
transit robberies.
This year's regional campaign was launched on Monday, 5 December 2016 and will
see Officers using both high visibility and covert patrols on the ground and in
the air, to escort security vehicles as they carry out their normal deliveries.
A number of other tactics will be used including armed Police vehicles escorting
high risk security vehicles as they carry out cash deliveries, CCTV monitoring
and patrol cars following cash handling vehicles. In addition, all cash
containers will include either Smartwater or a dye, which will be released when
they are opened, marking the notes so they are both unusable and traceable.
The action follows significant success so far this year in combating cash in
transit robberies across the region with 14 offenders being convicted and
sentenced to more than 80 years in prison.
Detective Inspector Jon Smith from Titan's regional intelligence unit, said:-
"The region has seen a significant fall in cash-in-transit robberies in recent
years but we are not complacent and we are determined to make sure criminals do
not see these types of Offences as easy ways to make money, because they most
definitely are not. Our message to those planning on carrying out
cash-in-transit robberies in the run-up to Christmas is clear; we will find you
and we will make sure you spend this Christmas and many more to come behind bars
away from your family and loved ones. Robberies that target cash-in-transit
vehicles, banks, Post Offices and commercial businesses are often violent
Offences that can result in life-changing mental and physical scars on those who
find themselves confronted by these criminals. This is by no means a victimless
crime. These robberies can cause deep distress to those at the brunt of the
attacks, who are just trying to earn an honest living. Titan, together with the
six Police forces in the North West, are committed to cracking down on the
criminals who make the lives of people making an honest living in the security
and commercial industries a misery and we will continue to use all the powers
available to us to target these criminals, prevent Offences and bring those
responsible to justice."
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Richardson from Merseyside Police's Matrix unit
added:- "While cash in transit attacks are falling in Merseyside we are
determined to ensure we continue to see year on year reductions. We want the
message to be heard loud and clear that anyone thinking about getting involved
in these crimes will be found and they will feel the full force of the law. The
hard working guards on the receiving end of these attacks, which are often very
frightening and involve the threat and sometimes the execution of violence, are
left extremely traumatised. We urge anyone with any information about those
involved in these kind of incidents, or about any suspicious activity around
cash in transit vehicles or ATMs, to call us so we can take action against them
before they have opportunity to carry out these crimes."
All North West Police forces, in partnership with the security industries, will
continue to share intelligence and provide assistance for cross-border
deliveries throughout the campaign and in the following months.
Steve Hurst, head of SaferCash, said:- "This initiative is an excellent
example of the North West not only working in partnership with the Forces within
the region, but also with industry. SaferCash and the BSIA are fully supportive
of this bigger picture approach, and are providing resources to work with the
region to reduce this type of violent crime and support any prosecutions."
Police are asking the public to be vigilant and help stop the violence by
reporting any suspicious activity in the run up to the festive season to their
local force by calling:- 101, or to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.
In an emergency always call:- 999.
The Video above was taken on 2 September 2016.
Merseyside police said that all 4 men were sentenced to a total of more than 23
years in prison, following this cash in transit robbery in Old Swan.
