Security worries post office

Press, 9 January 1987, Page 3

Security worries post office

PA Auckland The recent spate of post office robberies may lead to tellers dispensing cash from behind bars in a bid to tighten security, according to a Post Office Union spokesman. The spokesman said yesterday that grilles had already been installed in some branches on a trial.

He predicted further measures would have to be taken to improve a situation he said has “somewhat horrified” union officials and. workers.

Thirty-one post offices in the Auckland area have been robbed in the last two years, three in the last two weeks. Thirteen banks were robbed in the same period. One post office branch in Auckland has been closed down after repeated raids and threats to women tellers. Staff refused to work at Mangere’s Ashley Avenue branch in September and it was closed until further notice.

Assistant Commissioner Brian Davies, df Auckland, said he was concerned about the number of robberies recently, both in post offices and banks.

He said- post offices were often favoured by robbers because some were in remote areas, with few staff, and they handled large amounts of cash, including benefit pay-outs. Mr D’Arcy Harrison, Auckland district organiser for the Post Office Union, said security cameras had been installed at many branches. Post office frontages were opened to the full view of passersby and one-way glass was installed in back offices, to hide the number of staff working.