Noida police holds meeting to step up security at banks

The need to step up security at Noida’s banks and ATMs was among the many measures discussed at a meeting between top police officers and bank officials

In order to strengthen the security at banks in the district, the Noida police met with bank representatives on Tuesday and agreed to step up surveillance at branches and ATM kiosks.

Every ATM kiosk must have a functional CCTV camera and a guard present at all times, the police said. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)

A meeting was attended by senior superintendent of police Love Kumar, superintendent of police (city) AK Singh, SP(rural) Suniti and representatives of all major banks.

Issues such as proper functioning of CCTV cameras in ATM kiosks, deployment of security guards at bank branches and kiosks, safe transportation of cash and security of lockers were discussed by the officials.

“All ATM kiosks in the district must have guards and cash feeding in the kiosks must be done through cash vans fully covered and protected with adequate security. Also, the cash feeding schedule must be changed from time to time so that criminals are unable to keep a track of the exercise,” said Gajendra Shotriya, public relations officer, SSP.

Security of banks must also be increased in order to avert any unfortunate incidents such as the heist at the Punjab National Bank in Modi Nagar, Ghaziabad, last week.

“All banks must compulsorily have security guards and even at night, there must be a security guard present on the premises so that criminals are not able to dig a tunnel or bore a hole into the building. Banks in rural areas must function in safe buildings,” Shotriya said.

Read I Two men loot Rs13.5 lakh from Greater Noida after holding bank staff at gunpoint

The need for CCTV monitoring was also emphasized in the meet.

“CCTV cameras must be placed at important points outside and inside the bank and they should be functional at all times. Every ATM kiosk must have a CCTV camera,” he said.

Police also asked bank officials to take them in confidence during heavy cash transfers.

“Police should be informed about any heavy cash transfer and, under no circumstance, should security be compromised for the sake of being customer friendly,” Shotriya said.