THE VICTIMS OF HOLD-UPS ARE ORGANIZATIONS USUALLY LOCATED IN URBAN AREAS WHERE LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY OR VALUABLES ARE CONCENTRATED IN THE HANDS OF A FEW PEOPLE. STUDIES DIVIDE THESE INTO BANKS, CARRIERS OF CASH DEPOSITS, BUREAUS OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS, JEWELRY STORES, AND POST OFFICES. THE HOLD-UP IS USUALLY CARRIED OUT BY A GROUP WITH A WELL-DEVELOPED PLAN IN WHICH EACH MEMBER HAS A SPECIALIZED SET OF TASKS. THE CRIME TAKES PLACE OVER A VERY SHORT TIME AND THE CRIMINALS USE CARS (OFTEN STOLEN) AND FIREARMS, ALTHOUGH THE LATTER ARE USUALLY FIRED ONLY AS A LAST RESORT. ON THE WHOLE, THE FEATURES OF THE HOLD-UP REFLECT AN ADAPTATION OF CRIMINALITY TO THE CONDITIONS OF AN URBAN, INDUSTRIALIZED, AND MECHANIZED SOCIETY. THE NUMBER OF REPORTED HOLD-UPS IN BELGIUM VARIES FROM ONE AGENCY TO ANOTHER SINCE THERE IS NO STANDARDIZED DEFINITION OF THE CRIME. CLEARANCE RATES FOR HOLD-UPS WERE 42 PERCENT OVER EACH OF THE TIME PERIODS STUDIED. --IN FRENCH