Barclays Counters Security - half and half!

7sefton

I know this is a bit random, but it just occured to me today standing in my newly-refurbished Barclays branch (which is in a rather rough area):

The counter area now has three desks with the traditional security screens, but next to them is another 3 counters with absolutely nothing protecting them (not even with half screens like in building societies). What is this all about? Firstly, surely a big bank dealing with large sums like Barclays needs top security for all its branches, and if you are going to have open-plan counters, what's the point in having another 3 with full screen etc.

Just confused me!

Mark7799

I believe that the 'open plan' counters have limited services - when I've wanted to conduct business transactions I've been directed to a 'closed' till and seen others pointed there for larger transactions.

Norfolk_Jim

When the robbers come in, all the staff have to run and hide behind the screened counters. Big saving in counter costs and if they dont follow the policy and the robber gets the cash they probably have to pay Barclays back out of their wages for not being quick enough to get to safety.

rb10

Don't let the looks decieve you. They may have a 'rising screen' - basically, any hint of trouble and the counters are blocked off from the customers with a thick metal screen.

JamieD_2

I'd imagine the open plan till limits (i.e. the maximum amount of cash the cashier is allowed to have in their till) are much lower than the traditional screened ones.

Extant

Open counter tills have reduced till and transaction limits. They're not allowed to hold as much cash as the screened tills, and you usually can't take more than a £1000 from them.

They're also normally TAU tills - Teller Assist Unit - which is technology taken from the Woolwich. They're basically ATMs for cashiers - nearly all of the cash is held in a safe and dispensed by the terminal as and when needed. Basically, there is no real point in robbing them because you'd come away with nothing.

The screened tills, by contrast, can in theory do any amount of cash - provided it's held - and have higher draw limits (they can have, at most, £2,500 to hand at all times, with more in their till safes on a short time lock). Our internal audit checks for this, as that's all we're insured for.