Citation

Borzycki M. Trends Iss. Crime Crim. Justice 2003; 253.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Australian Institute of Criminology)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Data relating to bank robberies perpetrated in Australia in recent years are examined to assess whether bank robbery in Australia is following trends observed in commercial robbery in England and Wales, and becoming a deskilled and more spontaneous offence. Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data as well as information from the Australian Bankers' Association Armed Attacks Database, the paper discusses trends in bank robbery since 1998 and characteristics of bank robbers and robberies, including lone offenders versus pairs and gangs, weapon use, violence during the robbery, victim injury, note passing, use of disguises, and failure rates compared with bank robbers in the 1980s. The paper concludes that robbery in Australian banks appears to be on the decline, with decreases in victimisation since the 1980s, and that new style bank robbers tend to operate in gangs; are less likely to be armed; injure a higher proportion of victims; appear to engage in less planning; and are more likely to fail than bank robbers in the 1980s. Appropriate security measures to contend with changing robbery methods are not easily prescribed, but the paper sets out key issues to be considered in formulating security responses.