It is most people’s worst nightmare. You are in a shop, at your workplace or in your living room at home and suddenly you’re under attack by armed robbers.

While it is not something anyone wants to think about, it is important to have a plan of action, says Charnel Hattingh, Fidelity ADT’s Group Head of Marketing and Communications.

She says the most prevalent crimes involving armed criminals are home invasions, hijackings and follow-home robberies.

“A key aspect of protecting yourself and your family is to talk about the ‘what if’. Make sure everyone in the family or at your workplace knows what to do in the event of an armed robbery.

“Good perimeter security is vital. This should include a CCTV security system setup, electric fencing, access control systems and outdoor beams and proper lighting. Activate outdoor beams when you get home and the alarm system in areas of the home you are not using.

“Business security systems and home security solutions must be linked to an armed response service provider and all systems must be regularly tested.”

What about when you are away from the security of your home and its round-the-clock security surveillance? You have had to go to the mall or you are at work and a crisis strikes. Or, you are on your way home and you drive straight into a cash heist in progress.

You find yourself metres from criminals with very big guns, making demands and piling into bags whatever they can lay their hands on.

“This is a terrifying ordeal. It is not easy to keep a cool head but staying calm is very important. The criminals are also on edge and if you ‘lose it’ they could become trigger happy,” Hattingh says.

Here are tips from Fidelity ADT for what to do in an armed robbery:

While it’s happening

• Stay calm and obey the robbers’ orders.
• Keep your hands visible and don’t reach for anything unless told to do so.
• Don’t try to negotiate with the robbers. Speak when spoken to and do so clearly.
• Give them what they ask for and don’t lie about safes or cash in the home. In all likelihood, the robbers have done their homework.
• Observe the robbers and try to gather information on their appearances, voices, language used, etc. Look at clothing, distinguishing marks, height and types of weapons, for example.
• Keep them informed so there are no surprises, like a family member arriving for a visit.

Afterwards

• Press your panic button/phone to alert your armed response service provider and/or phone the police on 10111. Be sure to state if you need medical assistance too.
• Lock all doors.
• Check on the victims. Keep everyone calm.
• Relate the incident clearly and in detail to the first responders.
• Try not to disturb areas the robbers were in and point out anything they may have left behind.

“South Africans are often heard saying ‘you’re not safe anywhere anymore’. This is, unfortunately, true. We live in an extremely dangerous country where criminals continue to ply their trade unabated, often with the aid of high-calibre weapons not even the police are equipped to counter,” Hattingh says.

“This is why it is so important for each of us to take responsibility for our own safety through being vigilant, reporting suspicious activity and installing proper home security solutions, such as security camera systems, electric fencing and access control systems.”