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Bank robbery and active heist: how to stay safe

Emergency numbers differ by country. This page uses 911, the number for the United States and Canada. Many other countries use 112, 999, or another number. Find the number for your country.

An active bank robbery or armed heist is a high-stress emergency. The primary goal during a robbery is to preserve human life. Money and property can be replaced; lives cannot.

Do this now

  1. Remain calm and stay quiet. Do not make sudden movements, scream, or draw attention to yourself.
  2. Cooperate fully with the robber's demands. Do not resist, argue, or attempt to play the hero.
  3. Keep your hands visible at all times. Avoid reaching into pockets, bags, or under counters.
  4. Move only when instructed to do so by the perpetrator or by law enforcement.
  5. Call your local emergency number (911 in the United States and Canada, 112 across the European Union, 999 in the United Kingdom) only when it is safe to do so without putting anyone in danger.

During the robbery

Bank robbers are often anxious, unpredictable, and potentially violent. Following established safety protocols reduces the risk of injury:

  • Follow all instructions: Hand over money or items if asked without hesitation. Do not stall or attempt to alter the outcome.
  • Avoid eye contact: Avoid staring directly at perpetrators, as this may be perceived as hostile or threatening.
  • Do not pull alarms: Never activate a manual silent alarm or panic button while the robber is inside or looking at you. Alarms should only be activated after the suspect has completely left the building.
  • Warn others subtly: If a customer or coworker enters the building during an ongoing robbery, try to signal them discreetly if possible without exposing yourself to danger.

Making mental observations safely

While keeping yourself safe, observe details that can assist law enforcement later:

  • Physical characteristics: Approximate height, weight, age, skin tone, hair color, and eye color.
  • Clothing and disguises: Colors, logos, hats, masks, gloves, or distinctive footwear.
  • Weapons: Type of firearm, knife, or explosive device shown or implied.
  • Speech and mannerisms: Accents, tone of voice, repeated phrases, or signs of intoxication.
  • Direction of escape: The direction the suspect fled, getaway vehicle description (make, model, color, license plate if visible), and whether an accomplice was waiting outside.

Immediately after the suspect leaves

  1. Lock the doors: Secure all entrance doors immediately to prevent the robber from re-entering or customers from walking into a crime scene.
  2. Call emergency services: Dial 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately. Report the location, number of suspects, weapons involved, injuries, and direction of travel.
  3. Tend to injured people: Render first aid to anyone injured once you are certain the suspect is gone.
  4. Preserve the crime scene: Do not touch counter surfaces, door handles, notes left by the robber, or discarded items.
  5. Separate witnesses: Ask witnesses to wait for police. Ask them not to discuss details with each other before speaking to officers to preserve independent memory.