81 attacks on security men

Greater Manchester has the second highest number of attacks on security guards, despite a police crackdown.

Only the capital has more attacks on cash transit vans according to figures from the British Security Industry Association (BISA).

There were 81 attacks in Greater Manchester last year, down from 91 in 2007, compared with 40 in Merseyside in 2007 and 34 in 2008.

Manchester figures for last year are nearly three times the total for the whole of the North East.

But the GMB union is concerned that incidents nationally rose significantly in the second half of last year, despite an on-going commitment by the police and Home Office to tackle the crime.

In 2006 Greater Manchester Police teamed up with the security industries to launch Operation Vanguard in a bid to slash the number of attacks on security vans and premises such as banks, betting shops and post offices.

In the run-up to Christmas, armed escorts and the force helicopter was used to protect security vans.

Jude Brimble, GMB national officer for the security industry, said: “It is essential that all parties continue to work together to reduce the number of violent attacks.

“The GMB is determined to play its role to secure the safety of our members who do a valuable job. Those committing these offences should expect to be dealt with severely.”

Nationally, attacks on cash transit vans fell by 6% last year to 1,000.

BISA chief executive John Bates said more money had been invested in fighting the crime, resulting in fewer attacks in the first half of 2008.

But, he added: “The rise in attacks in the second half of the year is a worrying trend.”