Thursday 1 March 2007, the Bank of Finland arranged a meeting between representatives of banks and the other parties involved in currency distribution at which questions regarding the recent events at the Bank's regional office in Turku as well as more general matters relating to currency distribution. In the course of the meeting it was agreed that there would be a joint and detailed examination of the effectiveness and security of the currency distribution function. The Bank of Finland has already, for several years, arranged regular meetings with the parties involved in currency distribution in Finland. These have been used to handle, in strictest confidence, all key issued involved in currency distribution, such as transportation and security.
"Experience gained from last week's robbery in Turku will naturally been taken into account when the Bank of Finland makes future strategic direction decisions regarding the currency distribution function. The Bank is due to make its final, detailed decisions on the currency distribution in its three-year strategy plan in April, once it has heard all the parties involved. This will also involve re-evaluation of the reforms brought about since 2004, when transportation of cash was reduced and cooperation with cash-in-transit companies was increased, through for example the turning over of office facilities for contracting parties' use", stated Matti Louekoski, Deputy Governor and Board Member responsible for currency distribution.
The Bank of Finland will do everything it can to support the National Bureau of Investigation in its inquiry into the Turku security transportation robbery. The central bank takes this crime, directed against its customer, extremely seriously.
"Up until now, Finland has had a much better situation than its neighbouring Nordic countries, regarding the security of cash-in-transit deliveries. However, we have not allowed this to lull us into complacency, but rather we have continuously strived to develop our arrangements domestically and internationally, in cooperation with the police and other central banks. The robbery in Turku has proved that it is essential that all parties involved in currency distribution and the police force must put still greater effort into ensuring the security of cash transportation", said Pentti Hakkarainen, Member of the Board responsible for security.
The Bank's well-established and cooperative relationship with the police has become closer since the robbery. Senior police officials in the Ministry of the Interior and parties involved in currency distribution have agreed to meet in order to broaden existing cooperation and these joint efforts are intended to deepen and strengthen prevention of a similar crime from happening in the future.
Bank of Finland currency distribution function
Releases
Press release number 8
Thursday 1 March 2007, 12:00 AM