CRIME PREVENTION ADVICE : Robbery Statistics and Prevention TipsWhen you envision a robbery, you may envision an armed robber wearing a ski mask, holding up a bank. Or perhaps you picture a hoodlum pointing a gun at a cashier inside a convenience store, demanding the money in the register. But what you probably don't realize is that armed robberies occur across America every day. Robbery Defined Robbery is the act of taking or attempting to take something of value that someone else owns by way of force, threat, and/or placing fear in the victim. Robbery is different from shoplifting or stealing something when the owner is not around, as robbery involves the use of intimidation and/or violence towards the victim. Robbery Statistics Over 400,000 robberies occur each year, with approximately 90% of them occurring in large metropolitan areas with dense populations. The remainder of robberies occur in smaller cities and less populated rural areas. According to the 2009 FBI Uniform Crime Reports on robbery in the United States:
Robbery Tactics About half of all robberies involve a weapon of some type, with a gun being the main weapon of choice. Other robberies are committed by force, such as shoving, punching, kicking, and verbal threats. This is commonly due to an easy opportunity presenting itself to a robber when not armed. It is also sometimes due to robbers knowing that the punishment for robbery with a weapon (if caught), is more severe than robbery without a weapon. Robbers use the element of surprise and scare tactics to rob their victims. If a victim does not respond accordingly, robbers have been known to resort to injury and even murder. Robbery is more commonly committed after 8.00 PM. Multiple studies on robbery have shown that in the selection of their victims, robbers look for people who are alone and in isolated areas, with ideal escape routes and very few witnesses. Robbers also take into consideration the amount of cash on hand and the age of the victim. Unfortunately, the elderly are often targets of robberies. Robbery Prevention Tips As you can see from these disturbing statistics, you are more likely to be robbed while walking on the street, driving in your car, shopping, or just hanging out at your house vs. visiting a bank or gas station—all the more reason you need stay aware of your surroundings and on the lookout! To reduce your risk of becoming the victim of a robbery, adhere to the following tips whenever possible:
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