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New innovations in bomb protection and cash storage

The recent increase in retail bombing, grinding and impact attacks on cash acceptance devices (CAD) in the retail sector has prompted a relook at the technology required to protect both staff and assets.

Gawie Du Preez, executive: Fidelity CashMaster at Fidelity Services Group, says Fidelity CashMaster is one of the larger players when it comes to cash storage devices and cash management solutions with over 5000 devices installed countrywide.

Fidelity CashMaster solutions offer businesses a customised end-to-end cash management solution. The company provides a range of products from small under counter cash devices through to large scale devices for small, medium and large businesses. “We also offer financial management software and productivity enhancing processes and procedures to improve business throughput,” says Du Preez. Together with Fidelity’s integrated cash-in-transit services it provides customers with a full turnkey solution allowing them to manage their cash from their property to the bank and back again.

Du Preez says that unfortunately, bombings are a reality that every device manufacturer needs to contend with, particularly with the lack of control over access to explosives. The high number of CIT incidents remains a concern. In 2021, CIT attacks increased by 8% year-on-year and in 2022, most of the reported CIT incidents (66 as of 12 April), were cross-pavement robberies, followed by attacks on armoured vehicles. This trend affects all canister safe manufacturers equally, he says. Syndicates have become increasingly sophisticated requiring ongoing updates in technology innovation.

“Fortunately, additional measures have been introduced, such as ensuring all safes have concrete inside and are steel-plated which have served as a deterrent to criminals. As an added layer of protection, bag security features have been introduced which completely disable access to the money in the device and this has deterred criminals looking for quick gains. The problem, however, remains that even if the money is destroyed, the damage to the client’s premises can be extensive resulting in loss of business.”

Du Preez says over the last 12 months Fidelity has introduced a number of new advancements. The first is the Gatekeeper, which is the first product of its type specifically designed for the petroleum and fast-food industries that offer 24/7 trading. It includes a secondary door with a time-delay lock which can be fitted to any CAMEO Cash Acceptance Device. “It not only protects the note acceptor openings from tampering by explosives during high-risk hours – traditionally between 20:00 and 06:00 – but can also be deactivated during secure business hours. Clearly this protects both the asset and prevents damage to property and staff.”

The second innovation is a bomb-resistant safe which is able to stay intact even after an explosion. “It releases the explosive force,” explains Du Preez, “but keeps the safe structure intact and keeps the money safe.”

Recently, Fidelity introduced the CashMaster Cube. “This is ideal for deployment in any logistics or delivery vehicle as well as offering a secure cash solution for the smaller retailer as a manual drop safe,” says Du Preez.

This unique product offers SARB and SABS approved new generation liquid dye stain, the most successful deterrent to any criminal attack in the market. Du Preez says it sends a message to criminals that there is no point trying to steal cash protected by dye staining systems because they will be unable to use the cash afterwards. The small footprint is designed to fit into most delivery vehicles and is ideal for retail, financial, hotel and logistical environments.

“We understand that exposure to violent armed robbery increases proportionately to the amount of cash either in tills or back offices and appreciate that some sectors are more vulnerable than others. As the syndicates evolve, so too is there a necessity for our research and development teams to work on new solutions that will revolutionise our fight against crime/bombings/grindings and we are delighted to have two new offerings,” concludes Du Preez.

For more information contact Fidelity Services Group, [email protected], www.fidelity-services.com

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