Societal security - a case study related to a cash depot

Norsk Kontantservice AS (NOKAS), performs both Norwegian central bank tasks and other cash processing services for private banks. In April 2004 NOKAS was just to move into new premises in Stavanger when a robbery at one of the existing facilities took place. Approximately seven million Euro were taken, and one policeman was killed during the attack. This brutal robbery gave rise to a huge concern among the neighbours of the new NOKAS facilities which resides in a residential area, and is located only eight metres from a kindergarten. After the robbery there has been a significant resistance against NOKAS in their new facilities. A study has been undertaken to assess the risk picture in relation to intended strikes against NOKAS, where risk communication and dialog has been an important aspect. The paper presents the main results from the risk communication and dialog processes, how the risk was assessed based on these processes and discussions with experts, and use of relevant historical data. We give examples of discussions that took place, both in the media, in the group discussions, and with the executive officers in the municipal. Further we discuss how results from such risk analyses could be used in the public decision processes, where the local government finally accepted the use of the new NOKAS facilities. We both refer to critical events in the real decision process that took place, but also discuss in what manner the decision process could be improved. Topics as risk acceptance and tolerability, perceived risk versus calculated risk, and objective risk are discussed.