Organisation offers set of security guidelines to help retailers thwart robbers.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is warning businesses to be cautious following the increase in reports of cash and valuables in transit (CVIT) robberies.

According to recent figures, in the first ten months of 2009, there were more than 911 of these offences in the UK - 15% more than the same period in 2008.

The last three months of 2008 also saw the highest monthly totals of the year and the BRC advised the same pattern is expected in 2009.

Of the attacks reported, 35% were on deliveries to retailers, with the street the most common place for them to take place.

New guidelines launched by the BRC's provide a checklist to help retailers assess their anti-robbery measures. The list covers areas such as providing a secure location for cash transfers and vehicles, refining security procedures and reducing the incentive for robberies by preventing criminals spending dye-stained, stolen notes. The guidelines are available to download at www.brc.org.uk/downloads/CVIT_Best_Practice_Guidelines_For_Retailers.pdf

BRC consortium director general said: "This is retail crime at its most extreme. It often has devastating consequences for those involved and their families - long lasting trauma, permanent disability and occasionally even death. The fact that robbery is going up, while other violent crimes are falling, is a major concern. Encouraging retailers to use these guidelines to assess their procedures and set-up can make a significant contribution to reducing the human and financial costs. I encourage every business concerned to use them fully and swiftly."

The move follows news of a cash in transit robbery at a B&Q store in Bradford. A security guard was ambushed by two men as he carried out a collection at the branch on the Euroway estate at 5.10pm on Thursday November 19.

The guard was knocked to the ground and a cash box containing a substantial amount of money was taken from him. Luckily he was left uninjured and the suspects made their escape in a silver Vauxhall Astra, registration NJ05 UUZ, which was later found abandoned. Police are currently investigating the incident.

GMB national officer Jude Brimble said: "We welcome the BRC's decision to launch best practice guidelines for the retail industry to tackle CVIT crime. We see this as a positive step in helping to reduce a growing trend of CVIT attacks within the retail industry. We believe retailers have a significant role to play in ensuring that best practice is adopted and promoted as widely as possible in an effort to reduce the risk and opportunity of CVIT attacks."