KEY POINTS:
The Bank of New Zealand has banned customers from wearing hats and sunglasses in branches to counter soaring robbery rates. Signs stating "No Hats. No Hoods. No Helmets. No Sunglasses" appeared in BNZ doorways around the country last week.
Latest figures reveal bank robberies rose from 24 in 2006 to 62 last year and BNZ security strategy manager Owen Loeffellechner said the trend was increasing.
There were 21 in the first five months of this year, a handful more in June and on Thursday two in Wellington alone.
"This year we're ahead of the spike,"said Loeffellechner.
The increase mirrors the trend during the last economic slump - when the figure peaked at 72 in 1992.
Loeffellechner said many robbers used disguises and the new rules were designed to make them stand out.
"We're trying to set some standards which will lead to an environment which is comfortable for staff and customers."
Most banks already ban anyone wearing full-face motorcycle helmets. Loeffellechner said the BNZ had thought long and hard before banning more items and staff had been trained to implement the changes.
He said there was no "compulsion" on customers, but staff had discretion to enforce the rules. There would be an appreciation of religious customs in terms of headgear.
Loeffellechner said the feedback from customers had been "overwhelmingly positive" so far.
"The test is, 'Is it reasonable?' We think we are doing something quite appropriate and responsible. It's a balancing act.
"Most security measures are draconian. [Overseas] banks have double entry doors, you're judged before you even enter. We don't want that feel of a fortress with bars. This is humanising security."
A Westpac spokesman said it had no plans to employ similar rules but was constantly reviewing security.
KiwiBank spokesman Bruce Thompson said his company was different from other banks because almost half its 300 branches were in general business premises, including petrol stations, hardware stores and video shops.
"To start imposing these kinds of limitations on customers would be punitive and almost impossible to enforce."
Thompson understood BNZ's efforts to protect staff and customers but foresaw problems with "blanket" bans. "If you start doing that in banks, you have to do it in Lotto shops and TABs and it starts being an infringement.
Sue Chetwin, from the Consumers' Institute, said the measure appeared to be "rather heavy-handed", but suspected customers would be flexible if it helped stop bank robberies. "Consumers want to be protected as well."
