In line with the promise to review the cash-in-transit processes within the mall, Bedford Centre has revealed new security measures including plans to build a vault.
In a statement issued last Monday the centre said it was concluding an agreement with a specialised cash handling company for the build and operation of an external vault.
“This vault and related cash management and movement infrastructure will negate the need for any cash-in-transit (CIT) security guards to be in the malls and/or any public spaces.
“The engineering and design work is almost complete with the system expected to be built and in operation within the next five months,” a Bedford Centre statement reads.
The centre has also appointed a new specialised security company with dedicated tactical and public safety capabilities.
According to the centre, the new company’s priority and focus are to profile, identify and apprehend perpetrators before any incident occurs rather than to be reactionary to an incident that has already happened.
“The strategy behind this priority is unique and is supported by sophisticated equipment and highly trained security personnel,” Bedford Centre stated.
Pending the completion of the vault, wherever possible the centre has made arrangements with tenants and CIT to change their cash collection procedures.
This being done in order to keep the risk out of the public spaces and to remove the CIT guards out of the mall spaces.
The centre added, “We have now introduced a tactical back-up team with armed officers that not only monitor activity outside the mall entrances, but escort CIT vehicles and where possible, sweep the areas inside and outside the mall before entry”.
The number of control room operators surveying the CCTV systems have been increased and the centre is currently in discussions with a range of companies reviewing highly sophisticated CCTV systems.
“Whilst we live in a violent country and robberies will never be completely preventable, we do however believe that we have done everything possible to ensure the safety of our shoppers, tenants and the general public,” the statement reads.
The two suspects arrested in connection with the January 29 cash-in-transit heist at the centre appeared in the Germiston Magistrates’ Court on February 18.
A manhunt is on to find the remaining suspects who, according to sources close to the investigation, made off with an amount estimated to be in the region of R4-million.
The two suspects remain in custody and according to police spokesperson, Sergeant Mduduzi Nhlabathi, the case is being investigated by the SAPS Organised Crime Unit.
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