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What to do when you're being robbed — at gun point
“They came at night by scaling the wall when we were fast asleep, tied us up and robbed us of all our belongings.”
“I was driving the car into the house and as I stepped out to close the gate they pointed a gun and shoved me inside; calmly they loaded the car with all my valuables and drove away.”
We have all heard people explaining situations such as those mentioned above when asked for details about the robbery they were a victim of. And these are the situations which one can hardly prevent.
So how exactly does one react when one is being robbed? Is it ok to challenge the robbers?
How people react to being held at gun point and robbed solely depends on their frame of mind at that very moment, but their actions or inactions could be life-changing.
How to react to a robber in your home
Listen attentively
It’s important to hear what the intruder is up to. Can you hear multiple footsteps? Is the person talking to someone with them or on the phone? Are they heading towards you? This will help you understand what you are up against.
Do not move and stay put
If you are inside a room try and lock the door. Do so with little or no sound. Don’t switch the lights on or off as doing so may give away your presence.
Set off an alarm
If you have an alarm that sounds off within your home, then use it. If you have a panic alarm with remote monitoring, trigger it. If you have neither of these, then use your car alarm. (Keep your car key on your bedside table at night).
Be silent
Silence is your best friend as screaming out to warn them that you’re calling the police or that you have a weapon and will shoot, will only cause them to panic. If the intruders get panicked, they could harm you out of fear of being caught.
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Use your phone
Call the police and inform them of the intruder and give them your address. Do not tell them which room you are hiding in. This is crucial if you are using a landline with an extension in another part of the house. Always ensure your cell phone is charged, especially when heading to bed at night. Don’t forget to put your cell on silent and on vibrate mode either.
Act decisively
If you are certain of an escape route that takes you out safely and without detection, then escape. Don’t try and gather other family members to escape if they are in different rooms. If you escape, you can be of help to the authorities when they arrive.
If you and the family are all together in a room, then barricade yourself inside if escaping is not an option. Do so by moving heavy furniture near the door to jam it closed.
Look out
Don’t open the door and walk out from wherever you are hiding. You may not hear a sound for a while or you may think you’ve heard them move away from where you are but that could be a ploy. Look through the door crack (peepholes are advisable) to try and spot someone and if you can’t, then play it by ear.
It’s always best to stay put for as long as you can even if that means an hour after they’ve gone. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Wait in hiding
If you’ve managed to call the police or been able to trigger the panic alarm then wait for the authorities. Do not come out of your hiding spot until they are onsite and you are able to identify them.
What if you can’t hide and are found by the intruders?
Stay away
Avoid being close to the intruder; stay in a corner but don’t turn your back on the intruder and avoid any sort of confrontation.
Cooperate
Do what you are told to. Stay calm because any sudden movements could trigger a deadly response from the intruder. Understand what they want; if all they are after is your valuables then let them take it. If they ask you where your safe is, tell them. You don’t want to put yourself or your family in harm’s way to protect material possessions.
How to answer your phone
If you have an intrusion system with remote monitoring, you can expect to receive a call.
Don’t answer it unless the intruder permits you to. What you say at this moment is critical. A prearranged distress code should be used that would trigger a response from them.
Don’t be aggressive
While it’s important not to appear weak, it’s equally risky to appear aggressive. A medal for bravery issued posthumously is no good to your loved ones. Also, you must always assume the intruder has back-up support.
What to do when the robbers have gone?
Report the incident
If you weren’t able to do so when the intruders were on your premises do so now. The police report will be required for any insurance claims. Inform your insurer and be available when they conduct their survey.
Spend the night away
Once the authorities have done their work you may consider spending the night with friends and family or even at a hotel. People react differently; there will be fear, anxiety or sheer outrage from feeling violated. Lock up the house when leaving.
List lost items
Make a list of all that has been lost. Cash, credit cards, phones, passports, IDs, gadgets everything you can remember. For credit cards and phone immediately block them by calling the bank and mobile company. For passports and IDs make sure you have it listed in the police report to ensure no misuse.
Check the house
You want to know how the intruder came in: was it through the door, a window or what? Immediately fix the weaknesses and don’t forget to change the door locks.
Get a medical assessment
If you or any member of the household was roughed up then have them medically assessed. If in the short or long term you see a change in the demeanour of the family, especially children, you should consider seeking professional help as well.
Norbert Almeida is a safety & security advisor.
Email: ask@norbalm.com
Twitter: @norbalm
Blog: www.norbalm.com
Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, April 5th, 2015
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Norbert Almeida is a safety and security advisor.
He tweets @norbalm. And can be reached on e-mail at ask@norbalm.com
The views expressed by this writer and commenters below do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Comments (68) Closed
"What to do when you're being robbed — at gun point"
Simple. You say "over my dead body" and put some bullets in his head and in that struggle, if you die, no problem, you have set an example for the future robbers of your property.
Never ever resist, life is precious than materials. We can make everything back, if we get killed while resisting for materials, this is really crazy.
Thanks for the article, I live in sprawling mansion with my Husband and two teenage daughters and their is always a concern about safety of my daughters ,getting robbed or home invasion , we have 15 security guards who guard our mansion 24/7 but we never feel safe in this world of organized , sophisticated criminal enterprise.
Excellent piece! Another bit of advice would be to broadcast a message on social media too, if possible. Can't hurt to have as many eyes as possible on the scene.
@shamain 15 security guards! wow!
@shamain 15 security guards? Wow, no wonder you're so afraid. What about ordinary citizens who also have teenage daughters?
And also TRUST the least possible people
Good analysis but just correct the POLICE, you would not need to do much
@shamain
You have 15 security guards?
@shamain Very impressed with your worldly wealth.
@shamain Nice dream you put on paper. Thanks.
@shamain Then live a normal life.
@shamain What is your address? I am Nigerian prince and would like to send you some cash. :-P
@shamain Many a time, some of those 15 security guards or ex-guards may have money issues that may leave them brooding about the unfairness in life (namely your station in life and their worser lot). Since they are familiar with your security weaknesses, you could become a target. Police studies for our sub-continent quote too many cases where security guards turn to thieves, invariably.
Mentioned quite many times about the authorities and waiting for them to arrive. I doubt that part here
@Amir i agree with you unless you are armed as well... Pal..In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organized robbery?
I would rather put an Isis flag and couple of Al Qaeda flags... i have have 24/7 , 365 days government surveillance....
I am from Bahrain. I live like a king. There are no robbers or chors sticking guns or knives. I even leave the front door unlocked, without any fear of being robbed.
What a great country my Bahrain is.
Here are few tips everyone must take: 1) concept of safe-room where everyone must gather on first sign of trouble. Reinforce door/windows steel. Call police with cell phone from there. 2) have an alarm system with IR parameter electronic fence. These are cheap / available at eBay. Don't need an alarm company if u can't afford - buy wireless & use a tech friend for programming with 3 phone numbers to call. 3) get 1-2 big dogs 4) make an escape plan - away from main gate. Get someone trained. 5) donot panic- train family. 6) follow this good article. Don't keep valuables in your home. Bank safe. 7) if they have a gun on you. Don't resist handover. But get clues. 8) install high res. camera system visible from outside. Cheap online
The headline is misleading. The article doesn't say anything about what to do when at gunpoint. It only tells you to keep hidden if you detect robbers. Furthermore, very few people in Pakistan have remote monitoring systems. However, the car option is certainly one to make note of.
How much of this is actually applicable to the majority of the population living in Pakistan?
@Syed Ganga Din Like to see you do that or do you know anyone who has done this.
@shamain can you trust the guards.Make sure.
@Syed Ganga Din Easier said than done
@Farhan Good one. Right on the dot.
Very nice article. Life is far more precious than material goods. So well said, be wise to save yours and your beloved ones' lives.
How about not keeping valuables in the house in the first place, period. Some petty cash may be necessary to appease the intruder but that's it. Phase out the use of expensive jewelry as a wealth storage device; that's what stocks and bonds are for. Imitation jewelry works perfectly fine for weddings and parties. Electronics are generally cheap and replaceable anyway. Opt for the functional over flashy from cars to clothes. Bottom line: keep your materialism smart.
Granted, the above requires a cultural-shift, but in a massively unequal society such as ours minimizing greed and temptation is one way to hit back.
It happened to my parents. We filed police report. They just visited once. It's been 4 years we never heard from them.
What if intruders try to sexually abuse the female members of family? whole article is nullified then
Article is very good. But I practice other option. They will only take the things which are costly, light weight and small. Like cash and Gold, silver etc. They should not find any suvh thing, even when no one is at your home and they have all night to search for the same.
So, it is easy. Don't keep more Cash or Ornaments at your home. Keep all in Bank and Bank lockers. They will never take risk of lifting your heavy cupboard or Sofa or 42" TV. They can at the most will take some small things like Camera, Watch or Laptops, which will not be a big deal.
Excellent advice. Remember it. Coach your family.
There is easy way to avoid being robbed. What you can do is to reduce the the risk. Thieves do their homework. If they are scaling your walls it is because they have inside information On everything from security to valuables.
No point in doing it and getting away with only a few thousand dollars.
Security can be both aggressive and passive As in armed guards and cameras. But know this that the intruders already that they need to know about your security arrangements. If you are wealthy then you have servants, they are most likely to be the ones who give away you secrets.
One family I know does not hire any local servants, the get the from the Phillipines. The maids rarely leave the premises and are always escorted.
precaution. Always keep your servants (no matter how long they have been associated with you) off limit all your financial matters. Its mostly insider who provide the cue. When a marriage is around the corner one is most susceptible to being robbed as jewellery moves from lockers to home along with heavy shopping.
Simply and quietly comply with the directives! Don't risk your precious life and that of your loved by trying to think of doing something foolish. These robbers are armed and will open fire on slightest suspicion.
Only thing you can do is prevention. Some tips:
Keep ferocious looking dogs. Robbers are also lazy cowards and they may as well look for a easier and safer target than a home they know hosts dogs.
Don't discuss or advertise your wealth specially to any servants and neighbours.
Don't keep unnecessary amount of valuables especially cash, jewellery and electronics at home.
@shamain keep a low profile. don't invite trouble unnecessarily as such information provides lead to kidnapping for ransom.
Get yourself robbed and be happy that are alive.
@Farhan I am impressed with yur sense of humor
Looks like, the author of this article has been robbed quite a few times and is trying to save the world by giving advice. Thank you very much for your advice, and this is exactly what I am going to do the next time robbers comes to my house. You da man! You da best!
@shamain Stop trolling.
When visiting abroad from Pakistan, my family stayed with some family friends in Vancouver, Canada. These friends were from a wealthy Canadian family and in order to avoid being targeted due to their wealth, the wife used to drive in an old beat up car when she would go to pick up her children from school, and always had a security car follow her whenever she drove in and around the city.
We were quite impressed with this low key way of avoiding attention to their wealth even though the estate this family lived on was lavish to say the least.
@shamain After the Taseer incident, you should worry about your 15 security guards.
@Arsalan Exactly. You have 15 security guards - they must be guarding a citadel! Please take extra care and if you don't mind me saying so, give free food to people every now and then. Best of luck !!
@zubaida khan valid points which are more preemptive .. This article dealt with what to do when being held up
@CYRUS thanks
@shyam some valid suggestions which are preemptive actions
@Ali in life threatening situations or like you've described fighting your way out is sometimes the only option
@AdHawk while what you suggest is valid and should be encouraged it doesn't prevent you from being robbed all it does is frustrate the robbers. In such instances they can potentially take out their anger on you or then leave quicklt.
We need you Batman!
@Nadeem thank you
@Ali Abbasi indeed in this day and age could be another useful aide
@shamain just leave Pakistan !
@Amir absolutely right but if you don't remind people constantly to not resist they may not react appropriately because it's an unusual occurrence
@shamain "their is always a concern ..." a sprawling mansion n 15 security guards cudn't help u spell correctly :) ...
Try robbing me or my house. I have cameras, sensors and alarm systems. In addition I have my close personal friends: Glock 19, Glock 26, Remington Shotgun and an AR15. So please make my day. Stay alert, stay alive!! Even if they ambush me, they better be very good shot - because I don't miss!!!
I think if robbers do their homework right, they can easily get away with what they intend you. Still a good article nonetheless but many actions mentioned would put the other household members at risk.
For example, if you safely escape and the robbers know that there were supposed to be X number of people in the house, with you missing, some body gonna get hurt real bad.
Great article Norbert. Keep it up.
@shamain I am big fan of Jason Statham. He can break -in heavily guarded areas. Cheers ;)
Thanks but No Thanks I think the author didn't do his home work well.
"If you have an alarm that sounds off within your home, then use it. If you have a panic alarm with remote monitoring, trigger it."
are you really serious ppl in Pak don't even know what this means and waiting for the Police Authorities, seriously.
This is Pakistan, this wonderful article that you wrote is either a "Copy Paste" or you have not faced the reality yet.
@shamain I don't want to scare u, but u should not trust the security guards either :)
@Syed Ganga Din what a ugly joke! you could never amend big fishes how you can do with the small ones.
The author choosing to title this piece "What to do WHEN you're being robbed ..." instead of "What to do IF you're being robbed ..." says a lot about our situation.
"Farooq: It happened to my parents. We filed police report. They just visited once. It's been 4 years we never heard from them."
@Farooq you're fortunate you never heard from the police again, they could easily have pestered your family till you paid them to get lost.
To everyone going after Shamain; guys its called sarcasm
@khalid Bro lived in Bahrain from 80-95. I was relieved when I came back to Karachi. Much safer, at least no tanks on the roads. :)
Have family and friends in Manama and worry for their safety
Which text book did you use when you wrote this article? Please refer the sources or references of this article
And what about you get robbed on gun point outside your house? My advise is simple, in Pakistan maintain a low profile especially in the affected areas. Being extravagant is like inviting trouble. Besides @ Shamian please refrain from commenting, we are talking real life here not wishful thinking or fairy tales
One sure fire way to avoid being robbed is to become a robber yourself
@shyam for a one whose laptop have all its credit card info, bank info, personal info, personal things .. Laptop may be a big deal.