Cash escort firm launches measures to halt armed heists

GARDAÍ investigating a surge in professional armed robberies yesterday welcomed the introduction of new vans and security measures by a cash escort firm.

Brinks Allied Security said they were introducing the measures following a rise in armed heists on security vans this year.

Brinks said they have had eight attacks in the first half of this year - the same number for the whole of last year.

A competitor - thought to be Securicor - is believed to have had 21 attacks so far this year, compared to 13 in 2003.

The move comes as gardaí in Wicklow arrested four people and seized two firearms in connection with a bank robbery on Monday.

The security measures include new technology and equipment as well as more careful staff selection.

Gardaí involved in a major crackdown on gangs carrying out armed robberies have welcomed the measures taken by Brinks.

“Anything that makes it more difficult for robbers to make it worth their while to target escorts vans is to be welcomed,” said one officer. “Once it becomes known that staff in the vans don’t have access to the cash, that they can’t be opened, that should help.”

Under the measures announced by Brinks:

High-security vans have been ordered in from The Netherlands and Britain.

Staff no longer have access to the cash and won’t be able to hand it over to robbers.

Cash for banks is now being held in secure boxes which staff will hand over.

Specialist equipment will spray cash with ink if a box is opened.

Brinks said they were also reviewing selection, recruitment and training of staff to minimise risks.

“The present situation in regard to cash escorts is most worrying for us as security providers and especially for our individual staff members who are under threat every day,” said Brinks operations director Alan Jordan.

He said the new measures would make it “virtually impossible” for raiders to grab the cash.

The announcement comes as gardaí continue to target armed robbers, who have made off with around €2 million in cash so far this year.

Another robbery was added to the list on Monday, when armed raiders escaped with an amount of cash from the Bank of Ireland branch in Arklow town.

Later that night, local gardaí arrested four men and seized two firearms. Three men had addresses in Dublin and one a local address.

No money was recovered.