How to Survive a Bank Robbery

Dos and Don'ts When Witnessing this Violent Crime

Aug 9, 2008 Scott Hayden

If you're in a bank when it's being robbed it can be an extremely traumatic experience. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself.

It's impossible to predict where and when these types of crimes will occur. In big cities and small towns, banks will always be targets for desperate criminals wanting to make a quick score. Once they are inside the bank the atmosphere will be filled with fear, anxiety and even anger. However, you shouldn't let these emotions guide your actions. The most important thing to do is to focus on your safety and survival.

These steps are specifically for customers and employees who are witnessing a take-over style bank robbery. These individuals are organized and will not hesitate to use violence.

  • Comply at all times with the demands of the robber. If you obey them you'll walk out alive.
  • Under no circumstances should you make any sudden movements, because you might end up getting shot.
  • Attempting to get out of the bank while the robbery is in progress or disarming the robber will never work, so don't be a hero.
  • If at all possible try to get a look at the robber. Be observant and note any and all physical characteristics that will help the police and the FBI.
  • Try to remember the type of weapon used by the robber.

Remembering the approximate height, weight and clothing of the robber will be very helpful. Also look for scars or tattoos since this will narrow down the list of suspects.

Mistakes Which Should Be Avoided by the Staff

  • Tellers should not try to activate any alarms, or to call 911. It's likely the perpetrators will be armed and they will be watching everyone closely.
  • If the robber passes a handwritten note to a teller he/she should never treat this as a practical joke. This may compel the robber to pull out a weapon.
  • The robber is probably desperate and just as scared as everyone else. Attempting to talk them out of robbing the bank will put people's lives in danger, especially yours.
  • Do not under any circumstances chase the robber out of the bank. It's not your responsibility to catch these criminals. Let the police do that.
  • Do not cause a commotion by letting others know that the bank is being robbed. This might result in hostages being taken.

After the Robbery Is Over

  • Don't leave the bank before the police arrive. If you can't stay leave your name, address and phone number with one of the employees.
  • Preserve any and all physical evidence, because it's crucial to the investigation.
  • Keep your story straight, and don't discuss the robbery with anyone else in the bank. The authorities don't want eyewitness accounts that change from one person to another.

Bank Robbery Statistics

According to the FBI, between January 1st and March 31st, 2007 there were 1,430 bank robberies in the United States. The bulk of these crimes were directed at commercial banks, and the remaining targets were credit unions, savings and loan associations and mutual savings banks.

More banks in California were robbed than in any other state in the country. The total amount of cash stolen in the first quarter of 2007 was almost 15 million dollars.

The copyright of the article How to Survive a Bank Robbery in Law, Crime & Justice is owned by Scott Hayden. Permission to republish How to Survive a Bank Robbery in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.