Chemists; want public’s help

Press, 20 September 1982, Page 4

Chemists ; want public’s help

Christchurch pharmacists are increasingly concerned about the growing number of chemist shop burglaries, and seek the public's help to combat them. There have been about 90 burglaries of chemists' shops so far this year, a sharp increase on last year, according to Christchurch police drug squad figures. The installation of sophisticated alarm systems does not appear to be having

"Any security system will not stop a man breaking in. It does not matter howsophisticated it is." said Mr D. C. Manson, president of the Canterbury branch of the Chemists' Guild. "All an alarm system is going to do is to set off bells and sirens. This does not seem to deter these people. The public can be a great help if. when they hear an alarm ringing, they call the police immediately rather than assume a false alarm or a Qhnrt-rirriiit ” hp said.

"They can also help by telling the police if they see anyone acting suspiciously round a chemist shop." Mr Manson said. Many Christchurch chemists had installed a more expensive monitored alarm system. ’ A system could cost up to $l2OO ' and monitoring cost extra. "This is often needed to protect drugs with a wholesale value of $2O to $5O. Admittedly the street value for some of these drugs can

be up to 100 times more." said Mr Manson. The Christchurch drug squad has caught several pharmacy burglars in the last few weeks, but whereas stolen items such as television sets are easily recognisable. drugs are consumed or broken down very quickly. Mr ’ Manson said that chemists had to keep narcotics in a steel cabinet, but many burglars seemed well enough equipped to overcome anv such barriers.