The Ghana Police Service has cautioned banks across the country as far as the transportation of cash is concerned.

In a statement issued by its Public Affairs Directorate, the Inspector-General of Police on Monday directed banks to ensure that they procure fortified armoured vehicles to cart cash within the country.

The press release signed by Supt. Sheila Abayie-Buckman further warned the Service is ready to withdraw their regular escorts if the financial institutions fail to comply with the directive by the end of this month.

“The IGP is also reminding the Association of Bankers to provide fortified armoured vehicles for carting currencies by the close of June 2021 as earlier agreed between them and the Police Service, else the Police will withdraw its officers from escort duties.”

This comes in the wake of rampant robbery attacks on bullion vans in recent times.

In December last year, the Bank of Ghana after a meeting with Cash Operations Managers directed all Deposit-Taking Institutions (DTIs) to acquire amour-plated bullion vans for cash operations.

Six months down the line, not much has been seen in that regard.

Security analysts have also described the vehicles currently being used in the said operations as below standard.

However, the attack on yet another van, which resulted in the killing of a police officer and a hawker at Adedenkpo, in James Town on Monday, has brought the issue back to the fore.

The driver of the van also sustained injuries and was admitted at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, the ladies on the bullion van, both tellers of Mon-Tran, escaped unhurt but were sent to the hospital to be treated for trauma.

On the back of this, the IGP has warned that all financial organisations who flout the order will have their police attachments recalled.

James Oppong-Boanuh has also directed the Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department to take over investigations into circumstances leading to the attack.

The law enforcement agency called on the general public to assist in the investigation by calling their toll-free lines; 191 or 18555 with any information they have on the incident.