Robbery Prevention
"Hands up, it's a robbery!" What provides suspense in many crime thrillers can quickly turn into a personal nightmare for those affected on site, as companies that come into contact with valuables and cash are never immune to robberies. Those affected can not only be physically injured, but also suffer serious psychological consequences. It is therefore very important to take precautions and take appropriate measures should the worst happen.
Assault prevention - a definition
Robbery prevention refers to all measures aimed at preventing robberies in gambling establishments, banks, retail outlets or similar places of business. In this context, the term "robbery" includes not only robbery under criminal law, but also the seizure of valuables through threats or the use of force.
Occupational safety measures for assault prevention
The relevant measures for the prevention of assaults can be found in DGUV Regulation 25, which contains detailed accident prevention regulations that are necessary in order to prevent hazardous situations and accidents at work. In contrast to various other laws, accident prevention regulations are not created by state legislative bodies, but originate from practical experience. The guidelines and regulations are therefore drawn up by experts with extensive experience in the respective sectors. The regulations are then formally promulgated by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Although no traditional legislative body is responsible for the regulations, they are still legally binding and any violation can lead to imprisonment or a fine.
Areas of application and basic rules
The regulations on robbery prevention were revised and came into force on April 1, 2021, with the scope of application being extended to include sales outlets, payment points and public sector cash registers. This includes, for example, fan stores operated by sports clubs or points of sale in the ceramics or glass industry. Here, products are sold to end consumers, meaning that the new regulations must now also be applied to these sectors. The new regulation focuses on the handling of cash and measures that the respective companies must take to protect cash holdings and employees in the best possible way.
Storing cash correctly
An essential measure according to DGUV regulation 25 is the correct storage of cash. Here, it is important that the safe deposit boxes offer resistance to a possible break-in or cannot simply be taken away. In addition, access to the banknote stocks must be time-delayed for authorized persons, whereby a change to these delays may only be carried out by an authorized person. This requirement is met, for example, by a safe that has an electronic lock with a corresponding delay function or by a security cabinet with security level S2.
The regulation regarding the processes for handling coins and banknotes is also new here, as cash is now also understood to include valuables or other means of payment. In principle, the following applies: If banknotes are dispensed via a machine without an employee being involved, further processing or transportation may not be carried out by an employee who is regularly present.
Cross-sector approaches
The revised regulations also offer new cross-sector approaches to make the handling of cash as secure as possible, deliberately avoiding the description of security concepts. Instead, the focus is on so-called protection targets, such as the issuing of banknotes via an automated system, so that the incentive for a possible robbery can be reduced.
In addition, there are also basic obligations that must be observed. These include, for example, that a business premises must be designed in such a way that a perpetrator is noticed very early on or that external persons cannot view banknote stocks. Written operating instructions as well as risk assessments and semi-annual instruction of employees on how to behave correctly in the event of danger in the workplace are also required. Also new is the obligation to define emergency measures that must be taken immediately after a possible attack. Information regarding an assault must also be forwarded immediately to the relevant accident insurance provider by telephone, email or via a corresponding online form.
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