Dwarka police asks banks to beef up security

NEW DELHI: At a meeting in Dwarka on Monday, Delhi Police told senior officials and managers of banks that a system must be installed such that “if a person takes more than five minutes in an ATM, a picture of the person must be transferred to the concerned branch.”

Senior police officers also apprised the bank representative of the general law and order situation in the area and difficulties faced by investigating officers (IOS) during in investigation bank fraud cases.

Police sources claimed that at the meeting, bank officials were told that CCTV footage must be preserved for 90 days and, if required, must be timely provided to the concerned IO.

“It is usually noticed that the time of CCTV footage is not according to IST (Indian Standard Time). Most of the cases, the time difference is about 30 minutes or more,” said a police official.

Less than the week ago, a dacoity was reported in a bank in Dwarka’s Chhawla area, wherein a cashier was shot dead and the criminals flee away with money.

A team of Dwarka district police has so far arrested two youth in the case, and hunting for the other accused.

At the meeting, cops also advised bank officials to set up a manned help desk to verify whether customers are accessing the bank for the right purpose. Only after verification should they be allowed to approach the next counter, cops suggested.

Further, the location of the security guard’s weapon should be loaded, cops added.

“Bank managers have also been advised to install alarm and hotline connected to the police stations. A secret bell may also be installed which will alert neighbours in any case of any mishap in the bank. From time to time, it should be checked whether the same are in operational condition,” added a police source.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Anto Alphonse stated that from time to time, several meetings have taken place in the district with bank officials and representatives, who were briefed about safety and security arrangements with bank premises.

This is not the first time such a meeting had taken place. On August 3, over 50 bank managers took part in a meeting with cops, including officials from Corporation Bank.