Bhubaneswar: Crime branch on Friday advised bankers to follow several safety measures, such as installation of hidden cameras and hotline or auto-dial connection with the nearest police stations, in the wake of twin bank loot incidents in Angul and Nayagarh district on April 6. Representatives of some 35 banks attended the security review meeting held here.

Police said that the banks had been asked to conduct a security audit for all the braches. "The banks have been advised to use gadgets such as metal detectors and spy cameras to beef up security. Besides, they should also install facilities to capture the number plates of vehicles parked in front of the their premises," said additional director general of police (crime branch), Santosh Kumar Upadhyay

On April 6, armed goons had looted Rs 23 lakh in cash and jewellery worth over Rs 40 lakh from a nationalised bank in Angul while another gang looted a bank in Nayagarh district and fled with Rs 80,000 in cash on the same day.

The crime branch is monitoring the investigation into both the cases.

The police said that the banks had also been advised to hold quarterly meeting with their respective district police superintendents. "The banks have been advised to deploy adequate armed security personnel to thwart any loot attempt. Besides, they have been advised to keep a watch on the suspicious persons visiting the banks," added Upadhyay.

According to official statistics, as many as 35 cases of loot from various banks have taken place in the state between 2015 and 2017. While nine such cases were registered in 2015, the number went up to 16 in 2016. Some 10 such cases were registered in 2017.

In January last year, two dacoits were beaten to death and another was severely injured when a mob assaulted them after a bank robbery near Ranpur in Nayagarh district.

The miscreants were trying to flee after looting Rs 3 lakh from a nationalised bank at Kasanda village in Ranpur police limits when local people chased and caught them.