Bank Branch Robberies on Decline Despite Rotten Economy

Banks still build fortresses even though better options exist

Take a look at the FBI’s latest data on robberies of financial institutions for April 1 through June 30, 2010 (tables below). Despite the roughest economy seen in decades, overall robberies are actually on the decline (1,146 in Q2 2010 vs. 1,278 in the same period a year prior, down 10%).

The presence of security guards failed to prevent 49 robberies, while 137 financial institutions were robbed despite having bullet-resistant enclosures. Alarms were available but not activated in 9% of crimes. Cameras weren’t on in 1.9% of robberies. Bait money was only used 60% of the time. Dye packs were only used 52%.

Acts of violence were committed during 58 (5%) of the 1,146 robberies, burglaries, and larcenies which occurred during the three-month period. These acts included 14 instances where firearms were discharged, 39 assaults, and five hostage situations. (Note: one or more acts of violence may occur during an incident.) The total number of incidents in which injuries occurred was 16. These acts of violence resulted in 23 injuries, five deaths, and nine persons taken hostage.

Key Takeaways: The fear of robberies — especially those resulting in injury or death — far exceeds the actual number that occur. Not all branches are equally likely to be robbed. Location, design and staffing all impact a robber’s decision to hit your facilities or not. For instance, the closer you locate tellers to the entrance, the more likely you are to get robbed. Despite what many bankers believe, building fortresses loaded with security devices does not stop some robbers. Even branches stuffed with alarms, security guards and bullet-resistant glass get robbed. The most effective method for preventing robberies is simply greeting everyone with a “hello” when they enter your branches.

If you want to create a secure environment in your branches without undermining the quality of the customer experience, please take the time to read these articles:

• Convicted bank robber shares branch security insights
• Operation Safecatch: A Proactive Approach to Robberies
• Put the milk in the back of the store
• Instead of saying “hi” to robber, teller gets himself fired
• 2 banks use great service to thwart 1 robber

Violations by Type of Institution

Grand Total – All Violations: 1,146

Loot Taken

Loot was taken in 1,041 (91%) of the 1,146 incidents.

Loot Recovered

Full or partial recovery of loot taken was reported by law enforcement agencies in 221 (21%) of the 1,041 incidents in which loot was taken.

Number, Race, and Sex of Perpetrators

The number of persons known to be involved in the 1,146 robberies, burglaries, and larcenies was 1,364. The following table shows a breakdown of the 1,364 persons who have been identified by race and sex. In 19 cases, the use of full disguise made determination of race and sex impossible.

Investigations have resulted in the identification of 554 (41%) of the 1,364 persons involved. Of these 554 identified persons, 186 (34%) were users of narcotics and 78 (14%) were previously convicted in either federal or state court for bank robbery, bank burglary or bank larceny.

Occurrences by Day of Week and Time of Day

Type of Financial Institution Office

Location of Financial Institution Office

Community Type

Institutional Areas Involved

Security Devices Installed

Security Devices In Use During Crimes

Alarms were available but not activated in 9% of crimes. Cameras weren’t on in 1.9% of all crimes. Bait money was only used 60% of the time. Dye packs were only used 52%. The presences of security guards failed to prevent 49 robberies, while 137 financial institutions were robbed despite having bullet-resistant enclosures.

Modus Operandi

Injuries, Deaths, and Hostages Taken

Acts of violence were committed during 58 (5%) of the 1,146 robberies, burglaries, and larcenies which occurred during the three-month period. These acts included 14 instances where firearms were discharged, 39 assaults, and five hostage situations. (Note: one or more acts of violence may occur during an incident.) The total number of incidents in which injuries occurred was 16. These acts of violence resulted in 23 injuries, five deaths, and nine persons taken hostage.

Deaths

Number of incidents in which deaths occurred: 4.

Hostages Taken

Number of incidents in which hostages were taken: 5.