Citation

Gill M. Int. J. Sociol. Law 2001; 29(3): 277-291.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1006/ijsl.2001.0152

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Cash-in-transit vans are an attractive target for robbers because they are lucrative. Yet they are risky too; vans are mobile, guards have to be confronted directly, and there are higher levels of security than found in most other targets. Therefore this type of robbery attracts the attention of [`]professionals'; that is those who are dedicated and skilled and better able to manage the risks associated with their offending. Indeed, if robberies are to be successful, which at a minimum means obtaining expected rewards and avoiding arrest and prosecution, it is crucial that various types of risks are managed carefully and well. This paper provides a rare insight into the craft of the [`]professional' robber. Specifically, it discusses how robbers use their experience, attitude to the offence, approach to planning and use of violence to reduce the risks of things going wrong. It is suggested that the entrepreneurial aspects of cash-in-transit robbery means that attempts at prevention may best be focussed on reducing the opportunities rather than tackling the types of facilitators discussed in this paper.