Repeated bank robbery: themes and variations

This study examines all bank robberies, completed and attempted, reported to the U.K.'s Metropciitan Police in the years 1992- 1994. It shows the rate of repetition against the same branches to be high, with each robbed branch suffering an average of 1.54 robberies, and the most robbed branch suffering six. Repeat robberies follow the success of earlier robberies, with the probability of repetition being roughly predictable from average sum taken (with attempts counting zero) at prior robberies of the same branch. Repeat robberies are less successful than first robberies, presumably because of security enhancements or staff training following the earlier event(s). Repeat robberies tend to happen soon after first robberies, and indirect evidence suggests — consistent with more direct evidence from other studies — that repeat robberies are substantially the work of the original robbers. A surprising and potentially important conclusion of the study is that banks differ greatly in their liability to repeat victimisation. Steps should be taken to supplement the data available, so as to confirm this. However, it is suggested that a meeting of senior bank security staff called by the Home Office Crimes Prevention Agency to discuss the data would not be premature.