To catch a thief
Discussion
I'd like some advice on how to tackle this, a friend has a some staff (receptionists, secretaries etc) who take ocassionally take payments of small amounts (in cash) directly from customers.
The money has been kept in an unlocked money box in an unlocked cupboard. There has been a lot of trust, so it's up to the receptionists to issue a receipt to the customer and place the duplicate in the money box and make a note in the ledger.
It is now clear that money has been going missing, possibly more than 1k over the period of a few months. There was also a bag of charity cash which was in the cupboard which was taken in one go. The thief has been taking the receipts too, so they think they're covering their tracks (the system of writing in to the ledger has not been strictly enforced
).
None of the reception staff (apart from the thief) know that money has been going missing, only the staff manager and the directors. The thief does not know that anything has been suspected as the money keeps disappearing. The directors would like to find out who has sticky fingers, so I'd like to know what should/could be done.
If it was up to me, I'd rig up a camera with a motion sensor.
The staff member should be dismissed, so I think that whatever traps are set should be legally approved (I mean, admissible as evidence). There is little point in capturing video and saying "your're sacked" if the receptionist takes it to a tribunal and the video evidence won't stand up.
Any more imaginative ways of catching the thief?
The money has been kept in an unlocked money box in an unlocked cupboard. There has been a lot of trust, so it's up to the receptionists to issue a receipt to the customer and place the duplicate in the money box and make a note in the ledger.
It is now clear that money has been going missing, possibly more than 1k over the period of a few months. There was also a bag of charity cash which was in the cupboard which was taken in one go. The thief has been taking the receipts too, so they think they're covering their tracks (the system of writing in to the ledger has not been strictly enforced
). None of the reception staff (apart from the thief) know that money has been going missing, only the staff manager and the directors. The thief does not know that anything has been suspected as the money keeps disappearing. The directors would like to find out who has sticky fingers, so I'd like to know what should/could be done.
If it was up to me, I'd rig up a camera with a motion sensor.
The staff member should be dismissed, so I think that whatever traps are set should be legally approved (I mean, admissible as evidence). There is little point in capturing video and saying "your're sacked" if the receptionist takes it to a tribunal and the video evidence won't stand up.
Any more imaginative ways of catching the thief?
If the premises are already covered by CCTV and there is a sign up then you are allowed to put another one anywhere you like (covering the box for example)
Just like when you ring a company that says 'calls may be recorded' that means YOU are allowed to record them too (which I bluffed once and made the person on the other end poo themselves and give me what I wanted after I caught him out lying through his teeth to me)
Just like when you ring a company that says 'calls may be recorded' that means YOU are allowed to record them too (which I bluffed once and made the person on the other end poo themselves and give me what I wanted after I caught him out lying through his teeth to me)
The problem with using a bear trap is that staff need to put money into the box, they also need to take money out for change, etc.
The dye idea would mean asking every staff member to consent to a search, which would mean that they would feel like they are all suspects (which they are
but it wouldn't be good for them to think that).
The dye idea would mean asking every staff member to consent to a search, which would mean that they would feel like they are all suspects (which they are
but it wouldn't be good for them to think that). I heard a well known mobile phone company was having a lot of stationery stolen ie hundreds of large jiffy bags and suchlike so they rigged up a camera outside the cupboard to work out who was doing it
A very senior manager was then called into a conference room and asked to watch the film , he was asked whether he wanted to resign or they would call the police
Turned out he was running a small internet based company on the side using company supplies to fund it
A very senior manager was then called into a conference room and asked to watch the film , he was asked whether he wanted to resign or they would call the police
Turned out he was running a small internet based company on the side using company supplies to fund it
Mc Lovin said:
Geronimo said:
He can't just lock it because in the original post he wrote that the staff members also take money out of it to give to customers.
Must try harder.
Give it to a trusted worker then, try harder indeed.Must try harder.
What if that one worked isnt in when access is needed?
Id just stick a camera up - most people dont know the law... just ask them to resign.
Easy.
How about assigning each member their own box (with lockable key) with a "float". At the end of each day if their box doesn't add up you'll know where the issue is.
Can you also issue numbered receipts for each transaction? Tally the tabs in the receipt book with the money in the box.
Can you also issue numbered receipts for each transaction? Tally the tabs in the receipt book with the money in the box.
PD9 said:
MK4 Slowride said:
Have allocated days where only one of them can get into the box. The day things go missing you have your culprit.
You may be ginger young Slowride, but that is a good suggestion She also told me about your habbit of wearing her underwear. You need to be careful with that, I gave her warts.
MK4 Slowride said:
PD9 said:
MK4 Slowride said:
Have allocated days where only one of them can get into the box. The day things go missing you have your culprit.
You may be ginger young Slowride, but that is a good suggestion She also told me about your habbit of wearing her underwear. You need to be careful with that, I gave her warts.
pmanson said:
How about assigning each member their own box (with lockable key) with a "float". At the end of each day if their box doesn't add up you'll know where the issue is.
Well, that will certainly stop the thief. But you won't catch them since they'll immediately realise they've been rumbled and will stop the thieving.Just go with the hidden camera. It's the only sure fire way. Who cares if it's inadmissable in court, you said that you only want rid of them, and faced with recorded proof they won't even dream of trying anything on.
Edited by Geronimo on Thursday 18th December 14:12
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