GSA Hospitality: Armed Robbery remains an ongoing concern for clients and insurers

Armed robbery might seem like an unlikely risk, but it is a very real concern for venue operators. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), in 2023 a robbery occurred on average 6 times each day, up 6% on the prior year. The impacts of an armed robbery event extend far beyond the physical loss of property.

Such incidents can severely damage your brand, diminish the public appeal of your venue, and compromise the safety and morale of your staff. Unlike more traditional risks like fire and flood, armed robbery often receives insufficient attention in terms of preparation and prevention.

At GSA Hospitality, we have seen this impact all too often while continually assisting clients with their ongoing Risk Management procedures.

Aiming to reduce claims and further protect staff, we have prepared an Armed Robbery Management Checklist designed to prepare your venue and your people in understanding the threat, how to reduce the risk of armed robbery through the design and work procedures, as well as the response and recovery from an armed robbery.

The key to Responding to such incident is following the “CODE A” steps:

Calm - Try to remain calm. Stay away from the personal space of the offender.

Obey - Obey instructions. Avoid making any sudden or unexpected movements. Always keep your hands in sight.

Description – Remember the following about the offender:

1. Male or Female
2. Height (use the height marker for reference)
3. Hair colour
4. Ethnicity
5. Voice (slurred, calm, accent)
6. Clothing
7. Tattoos
8. Scars
9. Weapon used

Evidence - Remember what is touched by the offender and do not touch it yourself.

Alarm - Activate the alarm and call the Police on Triple Zero (000) when it is safe.

Safeguard your venue, train your employees with practical response protocols, and implement recovery measures post-incident using GSA Hospitality's functional, step-by-step guide.

For more information, connect with our specialist team:

NSW:

Carlo Gentili

Executive General Manager - Broking & Strategy

CarloG@gsaib.com.au

QLD:

Kelly Townley

Head of Queensland

KellyT@gsaib.com.au

VIC:

Tim Wight

Head of Victoria

TimW@gsaib.com.au