ROBBERIES AND SECURITY IN FRENCH BANKS

• NCJ Number: 44031
• Journal: International Criminal Police Review Volume: 32 Issue: 308 Dated: (MAY 1977) Pages: 134-150
• Author(s): J BELLEMIN-NOEL
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 17 pages
• Corporate Author: International Criminal Police Organization
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: France
• Note: LECTURE GIVEN IN PARIS ON FEBRUARY 2, 1977 AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BANKS AND SECURITY, ORGANIZED BY THE INSTITUTE OF INTER-BANK RESEARCH (INSIG - IRIB)

Annotation

THE HISTORY OF BANK CRIMES IN FRANCE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF SECURITY MEASURES THROUGH COOPERATION BETWEEN POLICE AND BANKING OFFICIALS ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

THE PROBLEM OF ARMED ROBBERIES OF BANKS BECAME ACUTE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FRANCE IN 1962, WHEN THE NUMBER OF SUCH CRIMES REACHED A HIGH. IN 1963, COOPERATION AMONG THE BANKS, THE RELEVANT SERVICES OF THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANIES BEGAN IN EARNEST. A COMMITTEE OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE VARIOUS BODIES DRAFTED A SECURITY AGREEMENT THAT PROVIDED FOR INSTALLATION OF SOUND ALARMS, LINKUPS WITH POLICE STATIONS, AND SPECIAL PROTECTIVE UNITS FOR TELLERS. THESE MEASURES WERE SUCCESSFUL IN REDUCING THE NUMBER OF BANK ROBBERIES UNTIL 1967, WHEN A LAW WAS PASSED LIBERALIZING THE OPENING OF NEW BRANCH BANKS. THE CONCEPT OF THE 'BANK SHOP,' WITH UNRESTRICTED ACCESS FOR CUSTOMERS AND CRIMINALS ALIKE, WAS BORN. MORE AND MORE SMALL BRANCHES WERE ESTABLISHED. THE SECURITY MEASURES INTRODUCED IN 1963 WERE NO LONGER APPLICABLE. A SECOND COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN BANKERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF PUBLIC AGENCIES RESULTED IN NEW RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING SECURITY MEASURES FOR BRANCH BANKS. ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PRESENCE AND USE OF SECURITY DEVICES (SOUND ALARMS, RETRACTABLE TILLS, LINKUPS WITH POLICE, CAMERAS, ETC.) AND THE FAILURE OR SUCCESS OF ARMED ROBBERY ATTEMPTS POINTS UP THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BANK EMPLOYEES' ATTITUDES TOWARD AND UNDERSTANDING OF SECURITY MEASURES. IN 1974, BANKERS AND POLICE JOINTLY PREPARED A STATISTICAL REPORT ON THE INCIDENCE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF ARMED ROBBERIES OF BANKS DURING 1973. A JOINT WORKING PARTY USED THE REPORT FINDINGS TO DRAFT AN AGREEMENT COVERING THE APPOINTMENT OF BANK SECURITY OFFICERS AND THE SECURITY-RELATED TRAINING OF BANK STAFF, AMONG OTHER POINTS. SUPPORTING STATISTICS AND A COPY OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE USED TO GATHER INFORMATION ON BANK ROBBERIES ARE APPENDED.