practice break in's

Re: practice break in's

supamog — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:47:57 GMT

we have an alarm system which is monitored by an alarm company. this calls the on-call phone. which it did one night last week. the vet on duty ignored it and nothing was done about it for an hour! the practice manager and head nurse have both said they would have met up with her or picked her up and they could have all gone down there together to check or even arranged for the police to attend! there were in fact animals in that night too! turns out that it was set off by a frantic client with an emergency and the vet hadnt answered the fone! hmmmm

Re: practice break in's

Katarina Anhava — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:26:39 GMT

We have our dogs with us at work and one always sleeps under the cashier. Mine growls at all larger dogs, so people comment that it's very handy to have a guard-dog in a place like this. I haven't told them that if the thief comes without a mastiff, she probably won't say anything... But it gives reassurance at least to me and if a non-doggy person came in and got that near our till, he'd probably think twice before getting nearer.

We also have a burglar-alarm next to the till and the noise would wake even the dead, so that would probably scare the Bad Guy. Our practice is in the ground-floor of a block of flats, so the noise would be heard.

The second last person leaving the clinic locks the door and if I'm the last to leave I always set the alarm on before opening the door, so the beep-beep-beep sound is very audible and no-one in his right mind (well, those after drugs might not be) would try to force in at that point. We also have a peep-hole on the (wooden) front door, so if I felt unsure, I could always take a peek. That also helps if a late client comes to get food or something, I can check who it is before opening.

We have never had break-ins, but the pharmacy at the other end of the building has had night visitors twice and the post-office opposite has been robbed in broad daylight in the wild west style pointing with a revolver. He got all the money they had and the crime has never been solved. The lady at the post-office is one of our clients and she got so people-shy afterwards that she had to find a job with no face-to-face customer service. She tried to cope at first, but said it was awful to duck every time somebody made a fast move, she just couldn't help it.

Re: practice break in's

Kathryn Welsh — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:08:57 GMT

I think it would be interesting to get an article into VN times just regarding practice security in general and how safe do nurses feel when on a late shift or night checks?!

Re: practice break in's

Sal the 1st — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:27:52 GMT

you will be surprised just how many practices do not have an alarm system - I raised this point on the retired site following a break in where I lived above the practice. I could hear the burglars taking the place apart downstairs and even tried to get in my flat. I ended up barracading myself with cats in the lounge until the police got there - it took 27 very long minutes! and the burglars only left when they heard the police coming. Tried ringing my boss who lived less than 5 mins away I might a well have tried to raise the dead. I still have problems sleeping 3 years later.

I called in crime prevention after this (this was the 3 break in in 5 months) the officer was very surprised at no alarm system and although it isnt law he thought it should be made mandatory for places like veterinary surgeries where drugs are stored on site.He was also surprised that the insurance company for our practice had not insisted on an alarm system. The recommendations he made were not carried through - the place is the same now as it was when I had the misfortune to be there.

Maybe the Vet times or VN times should be looking at this sort of issue? - would love to name and shame practices for poor security and putting staff ( and lets face it the general public if drugs are stolen )at risk - but to do that would put staff at more risk so what do you do ?

Re: practice break in's

Kathryn Welsh — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:27:50 GMT

Epsom in general is a good/nice area but practice is where on the site of a house that stood empty for many yrs and the kids still seem to think it is!! Other thing police reckon they know the main kids but can't do anything until they are caught in the act - well how about turning up quickly to a 999 call!!!

Re: practice break in's

zookeeper — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:22:28 GMT

Epsom! not a nice area at all!

My sister in law used to live in epsom, moved about 8 months ago, due to kids being little shits!

Whats wrong with them these day!

Re: practice break in's

Kathryn Welsh — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:19:53 GMT

I'm living at work and Epsom. Its a great practice shame about the area!!

Re: practice break in's

zookeeper — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:17:48 GMT

I see you work at Wingrave, which branch? I used to work at the sutton, cheam and chipstead branch. I was here there and everywhere! I know Laura we started at the same time.

It used to be really quiet when I worked there, funny as the years go on it gets worse..

Re: practice break in's

Kathryn Welsh — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:12:29 GMT

Suppose I should be lucky that so far they haven't actually got in...!!!

Re: practice break in's

zookeeper — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:10:10 GMT

Since the break in, we have had all locks changed as they stole all the spare keys!

Safe lock and dd lock were changed. The thieves didnt get to any of the drugs or the cash from the previous night, They stole the keys but didnt actually find where the safes were

Our new vet started on Monday and she says we all leave together, so at least on lates I dont have to lock up by myself.

My manager wasnt even going to phone the police! she only did when I kicked up!

The police didnt come out to do finger prints as we were not priority!!

I am working tomm, lets hope I dont walk in on another break in......

Re: practice break in's

Kathryn Welsh — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:45:20 GMT

Hi, I also work in a practice in Surrey and we've had a lot of probems the last couple of weeks... we thoguht it was kids mucking about - kicking in fence panels and writing graffti on walls. But Sunday night they had kicked in a fence panel, picked the lock on the back gate and had a go at the back door - can i add in broad daylight!!! As I live above the practice when i got home i reported it to the police and they said they'd be in touch... Later that evening I heard nosies outside, found the kids trying to break into my car and throwing stones/rocks at my car windows!! Dialled 999 and was told it wasn't an emergency, phoned practice partner who came out and we moved my car and practice van. But kids were back an hour later smashing up fence panels again - 999 called - 20 minutes till police arrived, by which time the kids had got bored and disappered! Police say they can't do anymore and practice partners not willing to spend the money to get our CCTV cameras up and working! So you think a late shift is bad - try living above the practice!!!

Re: practice break in's

Rachel Jayne — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:18:50 GMT

I agree, we have all tried, but "blood from a stone" doesn't go far enough to explain quite how tight he is.

He reckons our curtain-twitching neighbours would do the job for us......

Re: practice break in's

Saskia Quinn — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:02:14 GMT

Rachel, in the mist of what is happening near to you I strongly recommend you urge your boss to get an alarm system.

I learned once that if you ever come under attack while opening./closing, key in your alarm code back to front - that will alert the alarm company who, in turn will alert the police - however, if I were ever in that situation, I have trouble enough remembering the alarm, never mind knowing it back to front!

Re: practice break in's

Rachel Jayne — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:52:05 GMT

The practice round the corner from mine got burgled about 2 weeks ago.
They kicked the door in, stole the float out of the till, some pet care items from reception & loads of vaccines (to sell on the 'net we're all thinking, lepto shortage etc)

Since then our boss has gone security-mad! despite the fact that the other practice only had a singe panel door...we've got 7ft iron gates at the end of the drive that reach up the wall of the practice & the house next door, if they get that far, all our doors & windows are doubled glazed with safety locks, he still worries that someone's gonna get into our practice too!

We haven't got an alarm system & I've been left a few times to lock up on my own...

Re: practice break in's

Dodo bird — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:12:48 GMT

hi we got broken into last year when i was on my own late at night - still downstairs so full alarm not on and had to lock myself in nurses room because he tried to get in at me before police arrived - didn't actually take anything but he cut himself and there was blood everywhere!!! Pretty scary i can tell you!!! we now have alot more security measures in place but i still get a bit jumpy sometimes

Re: practice break in's

Noodle — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:52:03 GMT

I spent a few months in a one man practice, where the boss always stayed to lock up. There were no alarms, although he did have CCTV out the front....and a baseball bat under the reception desk! I was told that if anything happened to yell for him (small practice and he was there all day, every day)

Thankfully I never had need to put his erm... security plan, into action!

Re: practice break in's

Saskia Quinn — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:40:28 GMT

[quote user="heather mac"]

it never fails to amaze me how many vets are quite happy to swan off and leave a v.n or receptionist by themselves to lock up.

[/quote]

Exactly!! Though in my practice the only one who doesnt leave us to lock up alone is the boss!

Re: practice break in's

Mac Feather — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:03:32 GMT

it never fails to amaze me how many vets are quite happy to swan off and leave a v.n or receptionist by themselves to lock up.

Re: practice break in's

Mac Feather — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:02:35 GMT

i wouldnt be locking up alone either, its just not safe.

Re: practice break in's

FINNIGAN — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 18:35:18 GMT

we got broken into last week just took laptops thankgod, was a sunday when noone was about

Re: practice break in's

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:32:34 GMT

He should be ashamed of himself not wanting to stay.

Re: practice break in's

Claire Cameron — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 10:25:28 GMT

Many years ago one of the practices i worked in got burgaled late at night, they took the charity boxes and that was all but they came back about 2 nights later and took our computers, cash out of the till and all heart medication of the shelves. the police said they thought that the criminals were trying to make their own stimulatants!

Also, please dont lock up on your own it isnt worth it and if you are approached, please just do as they say it isnt worth doing otherwise!!!

I'm working in the Manchester area now and its a bit worrying up here with all the break ins locally so i know how your feeling. I make my vet stay with me while i lock up - he doesnt like it but tough!

Re: practice break in's

Sal the 1st — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 10:19:04 GMT

should also have put in my last post - if you find yourself in the unfortunate position where the burglars are threatening you if you dont give them money etc - give them what they want, dont take any chances and dont think twice it might just save you any injuries

Re: practice break in's

Sal the 1st — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 22:50:23 GMT

yes I have experience of these - police response time can be really slow if the police are busy or you are in a remote area. Thats why I prefer the the instant noise ones - sometimes they are enough to scare burglars off as they dont want the attention, AND , tho this shouldnt figure into it (but it will) they are cheaper, but agree there should be some sort of 'panic button' as backup.

Re: practice break in's

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 22:38:26 GMT

No do not need to hear panic alarms they can be set to send a signal to the security company who call the police and you will get instant response. The police do not allow the alarm to go direct to the police due to resorces.