CRIME STOP TIPS : Intelligence Bureau SA WHAT TO DO IN AN ARMED ROBBERY !!! With the festive season approaching armed robberies are often on the increase. Here are some safety tips on what to do should the situation arise. When an armed robbery takes place at a location (store, warehouse, factory, shopping centre or restaurant), the likelihood of the incident turning violent, resulting in injuries to personnel and customers, can be effectively reduced by the behaviour of the staff and customers. Don’t Resist Do exactly as you are told. The robbers are in control of the situation because they are armed, and it serves no purpose to resist their instructions – you will only be putting lives at risk. Relax Regulate your breathing, taking long, slow deliberate breaths. This slows your heart rate and helps you relax Speak slowly Don’t shout or raise your voice to the robbers. They are probably more nervous than you and it won’t take much for them to lose any self-control they may posses. Don’t make sudden movements When you want to do something – even if it is an instruction from the robber – tell them what you are doing – “I am going to take the keys out of my pocket now” – and do it slowly. Don’t set off the siren Activate the alarm unless if you can do so secretly without the robbers seeing you. Many armed robberies have turned violent (with hostages taken) because the siren puts the robbers into a panic. Setting an alarm can trigger a violent response Don’t look the robber directly in the face The robber may believe that you are trying to memorise his features for later identification and it could lead to him shooting you in order to prevent this. Give the robbers time to leave Don’t shout or do anything else until the robbers have left the premises. Don’t try to be a hero. Don’t attempt to prevent the robbers’ get-away. Many crime scenes have turned violent as the robbers are leaving, resulting in deaths and injuries to staff and customers. Observation techniques Clear information on the robbers assists the Police investigation. However, this should not be done at the risk of your life or that of persons around you. – Don’t make it obvious that you are observing them – Focus on one person at a time – Gain an overall impression first – Height – Build – Firearm or other weapon – Clothing – Special features – A limp, deformities, birthmarks etc. – Then look at details – Facial Features – round or sharp, eyes close or set wide apart, etc – Remember any names used by the robbers when they were talking to each other. – Remember what they touch, where they walk, any cigarette butts discarded, body fluids deposited, etc. Vehicle – The same rules apply, overall impression first, and then the details – First look at the make and model – Colour – Noticeable features – Registration number! Share these safety tips with family and friends! (Source : Crime Stop SA)
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 07:38:33 +0000
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