Written question asked by David Leslie Taylor (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 June 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 June 2006. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 June 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Cash Delivery Crime

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures (a) have been introduced since 1997 and (b) are planned to combat violent crime against cash delivery personnel in (i) rural and (ii) urban areas.

Answer: Since 1997 the security industry and the police have introduced a number of measures to combat cash-in-transit (CIT) attacks. This includes disseminating good practice, increased use of technology to protect CIT deliveries and close working between the industry and the police to share intelligence relating to cash-in-transit robberies.Earlier this year Hazel Blears met with representatives of the GMB Union, Group Four Security and the BSIA to identify the next steps to address the problem issue of cash-in-transit robberies.Officials have continued to meet with the representatives as recently as the 22 June, and are developing a programme to address a number of issues around CIT attacks. This includes engaging other Government departments on how to implement environmental crime reduction measures, developing good practice guidance in conjunction with ACPO, and examining delivery procedures that expose CIT personnel to the risk of attack. This work will include sending out a strong deterrent message to perpetrators of such crimes.This is in addition to the continued work to tackle violent crime involving guns and other weapons.

Secondary information