SEVERAL cash-in-transit trucks or bank trucks and ATMs have recently been robbed in broad daylight. These trucks travel unaccompanied without any security escorts and some ATMs are loaded with money without the presence of security officers and without the necessary precautionary measures being taken. Such measures are necessary as our country is being targeted and some outside players want to disrupt and destabilize our national security. However, it is not the responsibility of security officers to accompany cash-in-transit vehicles. Security companies that operate these vehicles should ensure the maximum safety and protection of employees who transport money and load ATMs with cash. The failure of security companies to take sufficient precautionary measures will only lead to more such robberies.
The Ministry of the Interior should require banks and security companies to follow certain procedures regarding the transport and protection of money. The employees of security companies that are tasked with money transport should be permitted to carry arms, provided with self-protection training and smart devices that allow the authorities to determine their exact location. The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) should install surveillance cameras in bank trucks and ensure that all such vehicles are armored and are accompanied by armored cars to ensure maximum protection. More importantly, employees' salaries should be increased while the employees themselves should be given a danger allowance.
Harsh punishment should be given to anyone who attempts to rob a bank truck or ATM. Police patrol vehicles should intensify their presence in all neighborhoods and set up checkpoints at more locations to enhance security. Undocumented workers can be involved in ATM robberies, thinking that they can rob an ATM and get away with it. These workers have forgotten that security agencies in our country are strong and can prevent such robberies because they use state-of-the-art technology to crack down on robbers and keep a close eye on employees who operate bank trucks and transport money.
Saudi security agencies can gather information about robbers in a short time and respond to any bank truck robbery quickly. Security officers are highly trained to deal with different scenarios and can arrest anyone who attempts to destabilize our national security or vandalize public property. These officers continue to perform their duties professionally and with precision, ensuring that robbers, criminals, terrorists and murderers end up behind bars.
