Cash-in-transit robberies fell by more than 66 per cent in the North West last Christmas compared to the year before, thanks to a joint operation between the police and security businesses.
The North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, also known as Titan, set up the operation which involved the six North West police forces and the security industry.
The crackdown ran from the end of November to December 31 and targeted criminal gangs involved in serious crimes such as drug trafficking, armed robberies and aggravated burglaries.
In December 2010 there were nine cash-in-transit robberies across the region – five in Greater Manchester, two in Merseyside and two in Cheshire.
These figures fell in December 2011 to two in Greater Manchester and one in Merseyside.
Officers used both high visibility and covert patrols on the ground and in the air to escort security vehicles and all cash containers were marked with Smartwater or a dye that is released if they are opened.
Other tactics used included overt and covert CCTV monitoring, patrol cars following cash-handling vehicles and armed police cars escorting high-risk security vehicles.
Head of Titan, Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Richardson hailed the operation as a success and pledged to continue the fight against cash-in-transit robberies.
He said: "This latest campaign targeting cash-in-transit robberies continues the significant reduction in these crimes seen across the North West in recent years.
"Robberies targeting cash-in-transit vehicles, banks, post offices and commercial businesses can have a life-changing impact on those at the receiving end of the attacks, which can often be very violent.
"We are committed to reducing cash-in-transit offences and will continue to work hard with our partners and other forces to prevent criminals making the lives of people in the security and commercial industries a misery.
“We will use all the powers available to us to find those responsible for these crimes and put them before the courts.”
North West police forces and the security industry will continue to work together over the coming months after the campaign to tackle cash-in-transit robberies and assist in cross-border deliveries.
Members of the public are reminded to be vigilant and to contact Crimestoppers anonymously if they spot any suspicious activity on 0800 555 111.
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