Lucknow police carried out security audit of banks in the City after a daring robbery took place at Indian Overseas Bank. The robbers broke 42 lockers in the bank and stole jewellery and other items worth crores of rupees. This robbery has raised various questions regarding the security and safety system of banks. That’s why in order to prevent such robberies in the future, the Lucknow police has carried out a thorough investigation of the security systems of the banks.
On December 22, seven robbers carried out a daring heist at the Indian Overseas Bank’s Chinhat branch. They drilled a 2.5-foot-wide hole into the wall, disabled the alarm system, and looted 42 lockers containing cash and jewellery. The incident exposed major security flaws, such as malfunctioning CCTV cameras, lack of security guards, and poorly constructed locker room walls.
Swift Police Action
Lucknow Police launched a high-priority investigation, resulting in the arrest of all seven suspects. Despite this success, the robbery highlighted the need for stronger security measures at banks.
The Security Audit
On Thursday, Commissioner of Police Amrendra Sengar announced a city-wide security audit to improve safety at banks and ATMs. The audit covers all five zones of Lucknow—North, South, East, West, and Central.
“Our aim is to ensure that security systems meet the required standards and to address vulnerabilities that could be exploited by criminals,” said Sengar.
Measures Taken During the Audit
Police teams focused on the following key areas:
- CCTV Cameras: Ensuring cameras are functional and properly positioned.
- Alarm Systems: Verifying alarm systems are operational and connected to response teams.
- Physical Security: Checking for security guards and strong barriers in high-risk areas.
Officers also monitored areas around banks for suspicious activities and advised staff to stay alert.
Findings and Recommendations
The audit revealed issues like outdated CCTV systems, insufficient security personnel, and weak locker room walls. The banks in India have started removing the guards from their branches due to cost cutting. A lot of big banks in India have removed guards from their branches and are totally dependent on cctv cameras for the security. Lucknow police has advised the banks to implement the following norms:
- Upgrading CCTV and alarm systems.
- Deploying trained security guards at all branches.
- Strengthening physical barriers like walls and vaults.
Conclusion
The robbery has served as a wake-up call for banks and law enforcement in Lucknow. Authorities are urging financial institutions to adopt modern security technologies and follow strict protocols to ensure the safety of assets and customers.