Union fears as security firms raided

CRIMINAL gangs are able to rob security firms more easily because there is a lack of proper security available to them, a union official has claimed.

The gangs are able to infiltrate cash-in-transit firms with ease because of a lack of Government action on a stalled private security bill, according to SIPTU official Kevin McMahon.

In a hard-hitting attack on the lack of protection for his members, he also claimed armed garda escorts of cash vans had been scaled down. Mr McMahon revealed the union recently outlined key concerns in a letter to the Justice Minister Michael McDowell. It followed a series of armed attacks on cash-in-transit crews.

In the latest heist, an armed gang grabbed a reported 400,000 when they held up a Securicor van outside a shopping centre on Wednesday.

Superintendent Mick Murray, of Santry station, said there were no definite suspects and no confirmed connection with earlier heists, including one last month at St James’ Hospital. But he said the gang was likely to be experienced in this type of hijacking.

A manhunt has been launched for the three-man gang.

A team of 20 detectives is being assisted by members of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation who led Operation Discovery, a relatively successful six-month crackdown on cash-in-transit raiders.

But Mr McMahon claimed that following the euro changeover - which coincided with Operation Discovery - there has been a noticeable decrease in visible armed garda support. He said the lack of movement on the Private Security Services Bill - it has stalled on first reading since publication in January 2001 - means there were no procedures in place to check the criminal background of prospective employees.

SIPTU wrote to the Justice Minister two weeks ago, he said. “We called on the minister to initiate a review of security and safety measures that would involve the union, banks, gardaí and health and safety officials,” the union official said.

Banks must take some responsibility for placing ATMs in “what would be regarded as insecure areas”, he added. “It is known in the industry ATMs are being located in off-bank locations that are high risk and vulnerable to attack.

“Clearly there is a safety issue if reported armed attacks are happening and the gangs involved are not apprehended. There does not appear to be effective preventative or deterrent measures to cope with this rise in attacks.

“I think the authority rests with the gardaí. It’s for them to determine what kind of level of protection is provided and what kind of support they would require from the army.”

A garda spokesman said consultations with the security industry take place constantly.

Decisions are made on the level of risk, the amount of cash and other factors.

On the issue of cost-cutting, security firms make an unspecified contribution to government to cover at least some of the costs of transporting cash.