Recognition For G4S Cash in Transit Courier
29 Jul 2010
Cash in transit (CIT) courier Tony Helman from G4S Cash Solutions (‘G4S’), the largest provider of cash solutions in the UK, has been recognised by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) with a Special Award for Outstanding Service.
The award was presented by Sir Paul Stephenson QPM, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, at the BSIA’s annual luncheon.
Mr Helman received the award for bravely resisting armed attackers, resulting in them fleeing from the scene empty handed. Tony struggled with one of the attackers while his colleague managed to secure the door of the ATM bunker they were servicing. Once the door was closed the attackers realised their attempt had failed and ran away.
Kevin O’Connor, Risk Director, G4S Cash Solutions (UK) said: “This prestigious award rightly acknowledges Tony’s courageous actions in resisting the attackers, and we praise him for his dutiful service. It must be remembered that Tony was the victim of a very serious crime and in struggling with an armed attacker, could have come to serious harm.
“We do everything we can to protect our staff from such attacks and are committed to maintaining their safety and that of the general public. We have also worked in close partnership with the GMB union to introduce a trauma response process which provides post-trauma stress counselling to any employee who feels they need support after suffering an attack.
“G4S continues to work closely with trade unions, the police, the Government and local communities to develop initiatives that will curtail the growing number of violent attacks taking place on the cash in transit (CIT) industry. These include the incorporation of SmartWater, a unique forensic anti-theft system, into all cashboxes used by G4S CIT couriers. As a result, criminals who break into these G4S cashboxes will unavoidably become contaminated by SmartWater, which cannot be seen by the naked eye and which currently has a 100% conviction rate when used as evidence in a court of law.”
James Kelly, Chief Executive, British Security Industry Association said: “This attack is yet another reminder of the serious nature of cash-in-transit robbery. Far from being a victimless crime, CIT attacks are perpetrated against men and women going about their everyday working lives performing an essential public service.
“The security industry is investing considerable resources in technology, training and intelligence gathering to reduce this crime and is working extremely closely with police forces and the Home Office to tackle the problem. There is much still to be done, but we are determined to reduce the level of violent and traumatic attacks on CIT couriers.’