Worried about ATM robberies in Sharjah? Your money is safe now

Sharjah - Brig Al Shamsi said that the driver of the vehicle must not get out of the vehicle or park in front of a restaurant or cafeteria to do any thing other than transporting the cash.

More guards, staff who know how to defend themselves and a modified vehicle will bring down ATM robberies in the emirate, according to a top police official in Sharjah.
In an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times, Brig. Saif Al Zeri Al Shamsi, Commander-in-chief of Sharjah Police, said that Sharjah Police will be imposing stringent rules on money transporting companies operating in the emirate in the wake of recent spike in robberies in Sharjah and some other emirates.
The decision has been made following seven robberies that took place in Sharjah last year alone.
The preventive measures include increasing the number of guards and staff in the van transporting the cash; assigning cash transporting job only to well-trained staff who knows how to defend themselves; vehicle must be modified in a more secure way so that theft in the vehicle or any other suspicious activity could be monitored.
Brig Al Shamsi said that the driver of the vehicle must not get out of the vehicle or park in front of a restaurant or cafeteria to do any thing other than transporting the cash.
He added that the police will assign a patrol car to follow these vehicles while transporting cash from one place to another. Besides, the driver of the vehicle must approach the nearest police station and request for patrol to follow them while transporting the cash.
He cited the example of the recent arrest of 19 armed Nigerian gangs who carried out armed robberies in four areas in Sharjah and stole Dh1.8 million. The suspects assaulted the guards of the money transporting vehicles using knives, and swords as well as other kind of traditional weapons. He added that it did not take the police very long to bust this gang.
Challenging cases
He said that the robbery cases are very challenging for the police. The second major crime resolved by the police crime involved the arrest of Pakistani national who stabbed an Indian owner of supermarket located in Mysalon to death.
The suspect was arrested in 12 hours after committing the crime and confessed that he had involved in heated discussion with victim, before the crime.
Yet another breakthrough in another complicated case was when the Sharjah Police arrested an Asian man over a murder he allegedly committed 10 years ago.
The police arrested an Asian man who murdered an Arab man 10 years ago by slitting his throat and stabbing him 15 times, as the victim refused to pay the charges of car-washing services provided by the suspect.
In addition, the Sharjah Police also arrested gangs involved in thefts at commercial outlets, bag snatching as well as car thefts. "All such mysterious cases have been solved in 2016," he said.
Increase in drug cases
The Sharjah Police chief said that there is an increase in drug related cases by 15 per cent in 2016 compared to the previous year. Most of the cases involve people using drugs particularly, Tramadol. The number of cases reported in 2015 were 453 while in 2016, it was 643.
According to Brig Al Shamsi, "most of the drug users were from GCC and aged between 14 to 45 years of age."
In 2016, Sharjah Police have arrested a large number of drug users, traffickers who were found using various methods to smuggle the drugs into the country. Many were caught at the Sharjah Airport trafficking drugs in their stomach while arriving to the country.
The police, in coordination with university and educational institution, has also recently started awareness programmes on the dangers of consuming drugs. The move is aimed at spreading awareness among students and youth.
He said the police is also using social media to spread awareness among a larger audience, mostly youngsters. He said they are also planning to launch an awareness app to spread awareness. Also, lectures are being delivered at schools and educational institutions on the dangers of drug use, he added.
To ease traffic flow
Brig Al Shamsi said that Sharjah Police and Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have also formed a committee to improve the flow of traffic in the emirate. The committee currently is conducting a study of the traffic situation on all the roads of the emirate, including Emirates Road, Al Wahda Street. It is also looking into the causes of traffic jams, especially during peak hours.
The committee is also following up projects that are being implemented to reduce traffic and minimise fatal accidents.
He added that the police are making great efforts in coordinating with the departments concerned to find alternative solutions by deploying more patrols in crowded areas such as in Al Tawoon roundabout.
The committee also following up projects that being implemented to reduce traffic and minimise fatal accidents such as foot bridges on Al Ittihad Road and regulating heavy truck movements from Khalid Port through Al Nahda.
Reducing the speed limits on stretches of Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road and in Malaiha, Nazawi, Al Dhaid, Al Madam roads are also being considered by the authority.
More police stations, patrols under Plan 2017
In order to bring down the crime rate in 2017, Brig Al Shamsi said that the Sharjah Police have put a plan in place based on the strategy of the Ministry of Interior. The plan includes increasing the number of patrols, CCTV cameras on roads, asking all business owners to instal cameras that will be linked to the police operation rooms. Undercover cops will also be deployed in most theft prone areas, such as banks streets, and busy roads of the emirate.
The police also will be intensively working on encouraging the public to be involved in ensure security by reporting illegal activities they notice. They are also planning to increase the number of police stations in 2017. Currently there are 18 police stations across the emirate.
About the quick response helpline 999 and 901, he said that they have staff who speak in Urdu, Hindi, Arabic and English work 24/7 to receive complaints and alert the authorities in case of accident, crimes or incidents.
10 safe ways to withdraw cash
Use machines only in well-lit and busy areas
Use a machine indoors or one monitored by CCTV
If you suspect an ATM has been tampered with, avoid using it and report immediately
Take a friend if you think the ATM is in an area that is unsafe
If you spot someone loitering around an ATM looking suspicious, report them to the police
Cover the keypad while typing in your PIN
Don't type your PIN if you see someone close to you
Never write down your PIN on paper or save it on your phone
Never accept help from strangers at ATMs
 If your card is stuck in the machine, never leave it there. Call your bank immediately
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Sharjah