BUSINESSES WARNED TO TAKE MORE CARE TO PREVENT BURGLARIES
At a time of year when holiday goers are often coming home to find that they have been burgled, businesses are also being warned to check their security arrangements.
Detective Sergeant Pat O’DONOVAN of the Christchurch Break Squad says that there has been a pattern over the last few months of groups targeting hotel cigarette machines and `pokies’.
"There are 4 or 5 groups we believe who are breaking into hotels specifically to obtain cash from cigarette and `pokie’ machines," says Pat O’DONOVAN. "Licensees and managers should be looking at their security arrangements. We suggest that they re-evaluate their cash handling procedures and not carry large amounts of money. Prior to closing up they need to institute regular checks to see that all alarms are operational, not tampered with, and at the end of the day, are actually activated. Cash also needs to be regularly cleared so there are not large amounts on the premises either in machines or in a safe."
Another area where Detective Sergeant O’DONOVAN has concern is with office buildings, particularly where there are several tenants. There have been a number of incidents recently where offenders have hidden in a building prior to it being closed up, emerging later to take what they want from offices. Laptops have been a popular target.
"Tenants are usually responsible for the security and need to work together to establish security procedures for closing up. Offenders have been hiding in stairwells, toilets, cleaners’ cupboards etc, emerging when staff have gone home, and taking what they want. Recently this has been laptops and cash."
Maggie LEASK, Communications Manager, Canterbury District Police, 03 363 7815, 021 663 701