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'Cashpoint cops' escort customers home from banks
Benedict Moore-Bridger06.05.09
The Met is offering to escort home people worried about being robbed in the street after they withdraw cash from their bank or post office.
The scheme has been set up by the Met's Safer Neighbourhoods team in Wanstead and Snaresbrook.
Pensioners, shoppers and businessmen can ring a number and get the sort of security normally reserved for royalty and senior politicians as they are walked to their door.
It mirrors a similar service adopted by many forces for cash security vans depositing and collecting large sums of money.
The service has divided opinion with campaigners for the elderly backing the move, while others have criticised it for wasting police resources.
Metropolitan Police Authority member Jenny Jones said: "I'm astonished that they think they have enough officers to do this.
"It seems to give out the message that it's not safe to walk the streets while carrying cash, which is nonsense as we all go out with money on us. I thought it was some kind of joke as it smacks of absurdity."
Tory MP Ann Widdecombe said: "The police always say they haven't got enough officers to combat-drug crime, but that's because they're doing silly things like this."
Posters advertising the service say: "Escorts from the police can only be made from the bank and then you will be escorted STRAIGHT HOME on foot, unfortunately the police cannot do your shopping with you."
One borough officer said the service was not set up because of a high risk of being mugged but as an "extra". She said: "As long as you live locally we will walk home with you." Scotland Yard said there was no extra cost as the scheme "is an extension of the team's normal duties, increasing police visibility in the area".
Reader views (38)
Load of codswallop. The police have done their homework and worked out that it is safer and easier for all to escort people home with their money. They might get a tip too!
- Cyrjames, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, UK.
What a load of rubbish. I've got a better idea, why dont we ban cash machines for health and safety reasons. And then deport the government. Think of all the money we would save. We probably would pay the national debt off in a week.
- Deport The Government Campaign, London
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha lol!
I havent laughed so much in ages. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha lol!
- Deport The Governemt Campaign, London
A bit of old fashioned policing would be more useful.
- Dee Jay, Fleet Hampshire
And after the imaginary police have walked you home (notifying all the imaginary muggers that you have withdrawn cash from your bank) are they going to stand outside your door all night in case some imaginary burglar breaks in knowing that you have cash on the premises and will they accompany to the shops until you have spent it all in case an imaginary pick pocket or mugger gets you?
OR -as someone has quite rightfully pointed out- should we stick to the REAL policing of REAL crimes? Undoubtedly cash point and over the counter withdrawals are putting people at risk, however, responding to crimes when they happen might put the general public at more ease. Funny how we have all this scaremongering when there's an election on the horizon. We'll be going to war with the Falklands next.....
- Real, London
When my sister, who lives by herself, returned late on New Years Eve to find her flat burgled the police refused even to secure the door for her - they were perfectly happy to leave her vulnerable and defenceless alone overnight in a flat with a broken in door. (no locksmith would come out either and family away).
- Claire, London
I don't understand how this would work. Are there going to be lots of Policemen standing around waiting at cash points, or are we supposed to phone the local station when we get there and ask for one to be sent out? And what if a Policeman himself wants to draw out some cash? Is he considered tough enough to walk himself home, or does he need to call a friend? What if someone who is known to the police as a mugger is drawing out cash? Are they going to be walked home too? Maybe they could put cash points inside police stations so we'd be on the spot to ask for this vital assistance? Or maybe Police cars could double up as mobile cash points? And what if I want to draw money out from over the bank counter? Will I still get protection, or doesn't it count if a machine isn't involved? I think we need the full details and if anyone can advise me who to ask I will be glad to oblige!
- D Woodstock, London
Hold on a min - does one need police escort just to go to the ATM and withdraw, let's say, 40 quid?
Other than that, I totally agree todays readers'
comments.
- Cathy, South East Europe
Erm... WHAT POLICE??? In our area these mythological neighbourhood patrols and 'Community Policing' isn't happening whatsoever. I happens in the borough on the other side of the road from me and the one up the road from me but unfortunately, it seems my borough - Camden - have made an executive decision to ignore the highest crime rate areas in favour of strolling the leafy avenues. They will get slaughtered if they come out at night onto our street anyway so its probably best they stay in the station ignoring calls and eating doghnuts 
- Real, London
this scheme is just what physically imposing robbers/ muggers need, to easily identify anyone who has just been to the bank to withdraw lots of cash. It's like putting a sign on one's forehead saying "i have just been to the ATM / bank" Dont be surprise if thieves team up to overcome the police escort, get away with the dosh and have the last laugh. This will save the criminals' time and resources from mugging dozens of innocent people for the same or more amount of cash they can get from one victim. This is inviting more trouble. Most sensible thing is to have more bobbies on the beat than tied up to a desk.
- Mark, London, UK
How about arming our police with side arms, that would address the current imbalance where only gangsters carry them. Then the police could do their job and protect us as they are paid to do. Once a few brats in hoods get gunned down (as they would do on the USA, Germany, France, Portugal...) for endangering the lives of others, we might see a drop in muggings and hence have no need for such stupid ideas.
- Hugh, Birmingham, UK
Because they have to walk the beat you bloody idiots. By doing this they are seen patrolling but are also preventing possible crime...saves them just awlking around aimlessly getting bored. Start showing some compassion for the people who keep your streets safe you ungrateful ignorant people
- Caitlin, Sudbury, Suffolk
Gimmicks, gimmicks, gimmicks, the police are still trying to be everything to everyone, completely unfeasible.
- Adam, Redhill
Why not, they are useless at everything else!
- David, Fleet UK
What rubbish. When you call plod out for a crime they tell you that they are too busy. They'll come to see you within 24-36 hours. So how can they have sufficent plods to escort you home.Or are they just noting who's got money and that they can be taxed or reported to the authorities?
- A. Winsley, London
More utter risible nonsense from this government of babies and "frit" police. The police should be preventing what is happening out there on the streets in the first place so that there would be no need to escort people from a bank but, of course, they're a little frightened of the violent monsters that the loons in government have created so rather than face them down they take the soft option of becoming an escort. I thought that word was a euphemism for prostitutes in drinking clubs who leave with their clients. Is this the harridan Jacqui's new idea - make escorts legal? Have a good laugh!
- Judith C, London, England
I think you will find that after the risk assessment is carried out they will conclude that it is too risky for a single plod, so we are looking at a two police person job. But perhaps if there are two, they could indeed do the shopping, finally fulfilling their nuLabour role as community carers.
- Frank, Dorchester Dorset
Dial a copper to take you home with your 'publicised' money? Brilliant. No doubt, there would be more form- fillings and box-tickings to keep them busy. Haven't we got enough 'plastic coppers' to do that?
- K Lee, Cheshunt, UK
You're hard-pressed to get the police to turn out if you call them for crime so how long are you likely to have to wait to get them to come when you just want someone to walk home with? Still, if it does actually oblige them to get out from behind the desk and appear on the streets then I suppose there is some mileage in it.
- Simon Davies, Luton, England
if the streets are so safe why do you need a escort.
- Basil, bussiere poitevine 87320 france
Better than filling in forms!!!
- C Cusano, Bedford
I stick up for the Met on everything...but this ....come on now boys....must be more serious things to tackle if you make yourselves busy.
- Rosie, watford
What an absolutely excellent way of telling potential robbers that the old dear being escorted home by the police has got money in her purse and therefore worth a visit later in the evening.
- R.F., Yorks, UK
Why don't they stop the muggers?
- Helen, norwich
A waste of resources.
What pensioner has a lot of money to withdraw?
- Anthony, Esher, Surrey
Wow! Well I suppose at least this would give me a chance to actually see a Policeman on foot. Then again 'Safer Neighbourhood teams' are mainly PCSO's anyway. I'd probably have to protect him if something happened.
- Mark, London
For the old and infirm this is a good idea, My Grandmother would not go and collect her pension alone because of this threat and so she had to wait for a friend or relative to escort her.
- Jim, London
Surely this is a joke? It is the most bananas thing I have ever read. If it is for real I am sure the scheme will not last for more than about 20 minutes.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx
Great idea - well done Scotland Yard (capitals intentional). Just think of the benefits of having Police Officers turning up at cash points and Post Offices at any time of day (or night?), walking irregular beats whilst going to cash points and returning home with client down routes perhaps seldom parrolled, then having to walk back to perhaps another cash point or Post Office by yet again another irregular route. The criminal fraternity - who are well aware of regular Police beat times - will need even more eyes in the back of their collective heads if they are to avoid detection. O.K. some extra funding and manpower will be needed but the side benefits will probably far outweigh this.
- John, Witney, Oxfordshire
If the police were doing there job we wouldn't need protecting from this type of crime. What are things coming too when we need protecting to draw out our hard earned cash.
- Y Crocker, CORNWALL
Recent mass immigration from third world countries, that is the problem. Only last week my brother was nearly mugged at a cashpoint by two Somalian idiots, this would never have happened 3 - 4 years ago when the area was mainly white and Indian.
ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OR IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE!
- Liam, Harrow
Everyone should phone it up (020 8721 2561) and say they will be withdrawing money from the bank (choose anyone) at 1:00pm and require an escort. Maybe then the morons that thought this one up will get the message.
Pesonally I'd just be delighted if my local SNT would actually respond to crimes that are actually being reported, not just feared or imagined.
The greater crime here though is that whoever wrote the notice clearly needs an education.
"Cash Machine"? Why the capitals? "Bank"? Likewise. "Post office"? Not so keen on the capitals when one is actually required?
- Escobar-Alop-Lop, Camden County
Not for nothing is the Met known as "the land of a thousand initiatives". Bags of press coverage, group photo outside a (closed) police station, and then the whole hare-brain idea will be buried. Check in six months time and see how many times the police and the plastics have provided this new service - or even if anyone remembers it!
- Exmetacpo, London
What would DI Gene Hunt from 'Ashes to Ashes' think? Get rid of political correctness and get the streets clean of the villains.
- Martin H. Watson, Teddington
The spin and waffle muppet in Downing Street proclaimed that crime was FALLING. It beggars belief that the Metropolitan Police can find countless police officers to walk peeps home from the cash machine.
Ah! What with businesses going bankrupt every minute and unemployment soon set to exceed 3,000,000 the answer is clear. NOBODY HAS ANY MONEY. THE UK IS BANKRUPT. It therefore figures that some idiot in power would pronounce the police will offer a free service to escort anyone from the dreaded cash machine to their home.
All such "escorts" would be retained on a database and you can bet your last penny such recorded details would be used to convict the innocent.
Every day a different load of tripe is plastered across the media.
Roll on sanity.
Roll on 4th June 2009.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK
classic case of treating the symptoms but not addressing the problem
- Not Exactly A Looney Lefty!, The real world
We are going to need an awful lot of coppers if this catches on; the queues I see by most banks are not small queues.
- Mickyinlondon, london
This sort of drivel would be completely unnecessary if there was a return to high visibility patrolling, one constable, one beat, backed up by fast response mobiles. Proper police officers, not quota driven PCSO's. However to achieve this means a proper re-examination of the bureaucracy around prisoner processing and charging decisions and an end to across the board government targets and national priorities which take no account of local policing problems. A return to the Rowan & Mayne principles of policing too would be a good idea. Come on Stephenson - get out of that tanning salon and get a grip man!
- Ranter, Maidstone, UK
