“I’d just like to see if I’ve got enough in my account to withdraw a fiver if that’s ok please mate?” you say to the cashier at your local bank.
“I’ve lost my phone, you see, and the bleeding cash machine out the front isn’t working,” you add. The cashier looks at you, an air of disinterest painted across their face as you insert your battered debit card into the reader.
“I’m sorry, you’ve only got three pounds and…” — BAM — “THIS IS A ROBBERY.” Confusion washes over the room, jaws drop and silence follows. You’re mainly still just annoyed you don’t have enough to make a withdrawal until you turn to see two burly men in balaclavas standing in the doorway.
READ MORE: How to survive ancient Egyptian ‘curses’ as history expert says it’s all about ‘spores’
For more on Hazard Harry’s foolish exploits, click here
Panic follows, as people scream and try to run out but the doors are slammed shut and a chain tied across the handles. You’re in here now, and there are only two ways out – alive or in a body bag.
At this point you’re probably thinking, “that doesn’t happen in this country,” but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. As recently as August last year two men, Dylan Evans and Michael Lowis, entered a branch of HSBC on Woodcote Road in Wallington, Sutton wielding an axe.
They pushed a 77-year-old woman to the floor and screamed, “give us your f***ing money” at the cashier before a member of staff managed to press the alarm. The heist lasted just 25 seconds with the pair running off screaming “ABORT, ABORT”, but it serves as a reminder that these things can still happen.
Because most of us don’t live in a Spaghetti Western, knowing what to do in this situation is far from innate, which makes it all the more important to follow some key steps.
Shahzad Ali, a security expert and CEO of Get Licensed, which helps train security guards, told the Daily Star exactly what you need to do if ever you find yourself in the middle of a bank robbery.
“Despite bank robberies being a rare occurrence in the UK, this doesn’t mean that they don’t happen,” he said. “Knowing what you should and shouldn’t do in the unfortunate scenario is crucial to your safety.
“The main advice I can give you is to comply with the robbers’ instructions. This is paramount to your safety – your life is worth more than your possessions. If they request you hand over your money or belongings, do so – these can be replaced in the future.”
He continued: “If you find yourself unsure of what you are being asked to do, get on the floor and put your hands behind your head – prove to the robbers that you are no threat to them and then they will be less likely to target you if things escalate. With this in mind, you should also avoid making eye contact with the robbers, keep your eyes down and try not to draw attention to yourself.
“Instead, take in your surroundings – has anything else changed since you first entered the bank, were these people in there before you? Taking a mental note of what’s happening around you can be vital knowledge for the investigation that will follow – share this with the police when they arrive and it’s safe to do so.”
We’ve all seen the films, of course. Invariably, someone tries to be the hero and fight the robbers off. In this case, they are normally either Bruce Willis or get killed really early in the film. Unless you are Bruce Willis, Shahzad recommends that making a dash for their weapons is generally not the way to go.
“You should not get involved or try to fight the robbers,” he explained. “They will likely be armed and therefore you could end up getting seriously injured or killed in the process. Banks are insured for instances of robbery and therefore any money stolen from the tellers is replaceable.
“Instead, look out for those around you – if anyone has been injured, see if you can tend to their injuries or keep them comfortable. You will be more valuable to the investigation if you are unharmed and alert, and able to provide valuable insight into the course of events.”
Keeping a cool head and remembering why the bank is being robbed are to top tips for survival, as Shahzad explained: “All in all, I advise that you remain as calm as possible whilst the robbery is taking place.
“The robbers have likely targeted a bank for one thing – money. Therefore are unlikely to want any other offenses to follow them such as manslaughter or assault. Avoid drawing attention to yourself, and remember that banks have procedures in place in the event of a robbery.”
That applies to you too, he added: “If you are in a position where your possessions are taken during a robbery, following the event be sure to report all items and details of the experience to the police.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
