Kolkata, Aug 20 (IANS) Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand has given additional responsibility to the officers‑in‑charge (OC) of each police station to ensure the security of banks and financial institutions in the city. Lalbazar, the Kolkata Police headquarters, issued a directive regarding this on Thursday.
There are 10‑point instructions from the Commissioner of Police. From now on, instead of the Lalbazar intelligence department, police personnel from the local police station will patrol the banks. The OC will have to review security issues regularly.
Until now, members of the intelligence department’s anti-robbery wing patrolled and checked security outside the banks.
According to police, financial fraud and crimes involving financial institutions have increased. That is why Lalbazar wants to take extra precautions. Police will have to keep an eye on banks not only during banking hours, but also when they are closed.
Police should identify banks’ opening and closing times and other high-risk periods, and patrol them. OCs will ensure that no crime is committed if there is a security gap.
The Police Commissioner’s 10-point directive to the OCs states that police personnel on patrol will regularly visit banks. Banks should have their security arrangements checked at regular intervals. They will check whether the bank has sufficient security guards, whether they are skilled, whether each bank has sufficient CCTV cameras, and whether the emergency alarm is activated.
If a suspicious person or vehicle is in the vicinity of the bank, its movements should be closely monitored. Police should maintain regular contact with the bank security guards and officers. If any secret information or signals of robbery or other criminal activities are received, it should be reported to higher authorities.
The officers of the Anti‑Robbery Wing of the Intelligence Department will now focus on collecting secret information related to robberies, analysing it, and identifying criminals. They will also help the police stations if necessary. The Intelligence Department will maintain contact with the police stations. The exchange of information between detectives and the police regarding known criminals and types of crimes will continue.
The concerned Assistant Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner will supervise bank patrolling in their respective areas. They will review it regularly. If there is any suspicion of crime during a particular festival, event or large cash transactions in a bank, the concerned police station will deploy additional police there. If necessary, action will be taken in consultation with the Intelligence Department.
–IANS
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