We recently talked to a Filmbase member, a Petty Cash Buyer, who was approached by a group of men on the street after withdrawing a large amount of cash for a market trip. Her laptop was stolen, but thankfully she was unhurt and the float money was not taken. However, the experience was very upsetting and she's keen to share the details to help guard against it happening to others.

When returning to her car after withdrawing cash at a bank, a group of men distracted the crew member by dropping coins by her front tyre and then puncturing it. Others then offered to help change the tyre, while two further men took her laptop from the car boot. She had the cash for the market trip in a bag strapped to her body and this was not taken.

This incident took place in Slough, near Pinewood Studios, and the Petty Cash Buyer, who wishes to remain anonymous, had collected the money in a private room inside the bank, not at an ATM. Despite this, CCTV footage suggests she may have been observed within the bank by some of the men involved, who then followed her back to her car. After the incident, her Set Decoration department has instigated a policy where Petty Cash Buyers are driven to any cash withdrawals by a unit driver - and are accompanied inside the bank, as well as on the street.

There are three common approaches.

A float paid into the Buyer's own account. Most productions now run as "cashless", so Production Buyers request floats paid into their personal or business account. It's convenient for the production, but it can create tax paperwork problems for crew, and banks may flag large transactions as possible money laundering.

A cash advance from the Accounts Department. Some productions provide cash floats straight from Accounts, although this usually needs a few days' notice while they get the cash in.

Production cards. "Production" or P cards can be used for purchases and cash withdrawals, though withdrawal fees often put productions off using them for cash. They keep money out of personal accounts, but the cash still has to be physically withdrawn from a bank or ATM.

The Set Decoration Heads of Department we spoke to said their first preference is for the Accounts Department to provide cash from the production safe. Their second preference is a P card, with a unit driver going along for the withdrawal.

All of them agreed on one thing: crew should never have to use their own money up front.

PSI Amber Jackman of Thames Valley Police gave us the following advice.

Filmbase has received another report of a Buyer being targeted in a similar incident, although it is clear that these incidents are not common. Nevertheless, Buyers should be encouraged to make productions aware of the dangers when withdrawing cash and discuss options to reduce these risks and keep crew safe.

Related: Support & Advice: whatever the issue, here's where to go

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