Armed Robbery Survival
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Frequently Asked Questions - Armed Robbery Survival
Staff must firstly secure the premises and ensure that they are safe. They
should make every effort to ensure that offenders cannot re enter the
premises.
Following a robbery, the police must be notified as soon as it is safe to do so, before any other action is taken, using the 000 service or 112 from any mobile, even in remote areas globally.
The police will require to be told:
• The type of crime—armed robbery;
• The identity of the caller;
• Exact location of the crime for easy identification, not just the street number;
• Whether anyone has been injured;
• Description of events, including the number of offenders, whether any are still present and, if they have left, the direction of escape;
• A brief description of offenders and any vehicles used; and
• Whether firearms or other weapons have been seen or used.
If possible, the telephone line with the police should be left open until the police arrive, in order to maintain contact and enable instructions and information to be passed without delay. While waiting for the police to arrive, the following basic measures need to be followed:
• If required, first aid should be rendered to any victims and confirmation given that professional help is on the way;
• Post a member of staff at the entrance of the business to allow urgent access to the emergency services when the police arrive;
• Preserve the scene and the evidence. As far as possible, avoid touching anywhere the robbers may have left fingerprints, footmarks or other evidence;
• Discourage witnesses from leaving before the police have arrived and spoken to them, or take their names and addresses and give them to the police;
• Ensure those present do not discuss the events prior to being interviewed by the police. Each witness should complete armed Robbery Description Forms separately. Each witness should write out their own statement recording everything they can remember from the incident including the words and actions of the offenders, description of the offenders and any weapons and vehicles. The witness and copies given to the police so the witness can refer to their original hand written statement in court if necessary should retain the original statement.
Once the police arrive:
• Help them as much as possible.
• The police will need to interview all witnesses including staff as appropriate. They will, however, ensure that private details of staff are not released to defense counsel, the media or through the Court process. Police should be asked to ensure that the amount stolen is not released to the media;
• Make an inventory of stolen money or property and give it to the police as soon as possible;
• Discuss and agree arrangements for liaison with the media. Staff should be told that in order to preserve the scene, the police might ask to conduct all interviews at a police station or in a place away from the premises that have been robbed; Staff may be required to give evidence in Court after an aggravated robbery of their workplace. This could be a traumatic experience for witnesses unfamiliar with Court requirements and procedures. Staff should be made aware of what is involved, and what is expected of them. It should be recognised that some staff may require additional counselling support.
Following a robbery, the police must be notified as soon as it is safe to do so, before any other action is taken, using the 000 service or 112 from any mobile, even in remote areas globally.
The police will require to be told:
• The type of crime—armed robbery;
• The identity of the caller;
• Exact location of the crime for easy identification, not just the street number;
• Whether anyone has been injured;
• Description of events, including the number of offenders, whether any are still present and, if they have left, the direction of escape;
• A brief description of offenders and any vehicles used; and
• Whether firearms or other weapons have been seen or used.
If possible, the telephone line with the police should be left open until the police arrive, in order to maintain contact and enable instructions and information to be passed without delay. While waiting for the police to arrive, the following basic measures need to be followed:
• If required, first aid should be rendered to any victims and confirmation given that professional help is on the way;
• Post a member of staff at the entrance of the business to allow urgent access to the emergency services when the police arrive;
• Preserve the scene and the evidence. As far as possible, avoid touching anywhere the robbers may have left fingerprints, footmarks or other evidence;
• Discourage witnesses from leaving before the police have arrived and spoken to them, or take their names and addresses and give them to the police;
• Ensure those present do not discuss the events prior to being interviewed by the police. Each witness should complete armed Robbery Description Forms separately. Each witness should write out their own statement recording everything they can remember from the incident including the words and actions of the offenders, description of the offenders and any weapons and vehicles. The witness and copies given to the police so the witness can refer to their original hand written statement in court if necessary should retain the original statement.
Once the police arrive:
• Help them as much as possible.
• The police will need to interview all witnesses including staff as appropriate. They will, however, ensure that private details of staff are not released to defense counsel, the media or through the Court process. Police should be asked to ensure that the amount stolen is not released to the media;
• Make an inventory of stolen money or property and give it to the police as soon as possible;
• Discuss and agree arrangements for liaison with the media. Staff should be told that in order to preserve the scene, the police might ask to conduct all interviews at a police station or in a place away from the premises that have been robbed; Staff may be required to give evidence in Court after an aggravated robbery of their workplace. This could be a traumatic experience for witnesses unfamiliar with Court requirements and procedures. Staff should be made aware of what is involved, and what is expected of them. It should be recognised that some staff may require additional counselling support.
The following guidelines are recommended:
• Follow workplace procedures;
• Keep calm and make no sudden movements;
• Do what the offender demands;
• Memorise as many details about the offender as possible; and
• Note the method and direction of escape.
Each member of staff will experience a robbery differently and will cope with it differently.
Staff perception of the risk to themselves or others will be the main influence on the extent to which they become traumatised. Whether a weapon is real or not is irrelevant — the issue is whether or not they experience an incident which they consider is potentially life-threatening. The risk of reactions developing can be reduced if staff are adequately trained in security procedures and receive appropriate support immediately after the incident.
• Follow workplace procedures;
• Keep calm and make no sudden movements;
• Do what the offender demands;
• Memorise as many details about the offender as possible; and
• Note the method and direction of escape.
Each member of staff will experience a robbery differently and will cope with it differently.
Staff perception of the risk to themselves or others will be the main influence on the extent to which they become traumatised. Whether a weapon is real or not is irrelevant — the issue is whether or not they experience an incident which they consider is potentially life-threatening. The risk of reactions developing can be reduced if staff are adequately trained in security procedures and receive appropriate support immediately after the incident.
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