Is there a culture of the snatch and grab robbery festering in Ireland?
According to CSO statistics, in 2015 there were 22625 reported cases of theft from retail establishments in Ireland and 929 reported cases of robberies were cash was taken, many of these armed robberies. That’s almost 3 cash robberies per day.
ROBBERIES OF CASH FROM ESTABLISHMENTS IN 2015
929
With increasing security in many areas within society, are retail outlets vulnerable to the snatch and grab thief?
The snatch and grab robbery is a fast paced ordeal taking only a matter of minutes, if not seconds to occur but leaving a long lasting effect on staff and customers caught up in the incident.
But what is the true cost of a 60 second robbery?
In this type of robbery the physical cash stolen can range from as little as €77 up to almost €1000, but that’s rarely the net cost of the incident.
It’s common for these robberies to be either armed or quite aggressive in nature and more often than not, there is a need to close the store in the aftermath resulting in the loss of income for the retailer. In many cases, the staff involved require paid leave to recover from the ordeal, sometimes even resulting in the staff member actually leaving the company altogether. A number of retailers report that both staff and customers can and have submitted insurance claims for damages as a result of being caught up in these events. In addition to the more serious costs, we must also look at the internal, soft costs incurred in order for staff to write up reports and carry out activities needed to handle and close off the incident. According to some retailers, the true net cost of a 60 second robbery can range from €30,000 to €40,000.
SEE BELOW FOR SOME OF THE RECENT CASES REPORTED ON IN THE MEDIA
Jan 21st 2017 – Jewellery Shop
A woman has been rushed to hospital after she was viciously stabbed during an armed robbery at jewellery shop in North Dublin.
The woman was working at the Bouchon jewellers at The Diamond in Malahide Village at approximately 5pm when two men entered the premises and demanded cash and goods.
One of the men produced a knife and stabbed her before both men made off with what has been described as a “ considerable” amount of valuable goods.
Jan 22nd 2017 – Commercial Premises
– as reported on Dublin Live
A man has been arrested in connection with a robbery in Balrothery yesterday.
The 44-year-old man entered a commercial premises in the Dublin village at around 9.20am.
He was wearing a balaclava and threatened a female member of staff.
He demanded money before leaving on foot carrying a sum of cash.
A Garda spokesperson said the employee was assaulted during the incident but did not need medical attention.
Feb 2nd 2017 – Pharmacy
– as reported in the
Man armed with hammer robs Dublin pharmacy escaping with drugs and cash.
Staff in a Dublin pharmacy were subjected to a terrifying robbery this evening, in which a man with a hammer escaped with drugs and cash.
Thankfully nobody was injured in the robbery, which is understood to have happened in the Lloyd’s Pharmacy in Rathgar at around 5.15pm, Dublin Live reports.
The man is understood to have used a hammer during the robbery, and he escaped with drugs and a sum of money. No arrests have been made, and gardai are currently investigating the incident.
Feb 6th 2017 – Food Outlet
– as reported on
A MAN IS due to appear in court tomorrow morning following the robbery of a McDonald’s yesterday evening.
Yesterday evening at about 7.30pm a man entered the McDonald’s on the Lower Rathmines Road.
He approached a female cashier and threatened her with a knife. The man took a sum of money from the tills and left the premises.
Feb 14th 2017 – Bookmakers
– as reported in the Sunday World
A Dublin youth is to face trial accused of taking part in an armed raid at a bookies.
The boy, 17, is charged with robbery at Ladbrokes, Ninth Lock Road, Clondalkin, Dublin on July 23 last and unlawful possession of a firearm on the same date.
…
It is alleged that an adult accomplice entered the bookmakers holding a firearm.
It was claimed he was with the defendant, then aged 16, who is allegedly held the shop door open for him.
Some €77 was taken after a female employee fled into an office and the teen’s alleged accomplice took the the money from the till before the pair made off.