Police raise concerns over drug dispensing machine plans at Parson Drove surgery

Concerns over possible crime have been raised by police following an application by a local GP surgery to introduce a drugs pick-up machine.

Thomas Fabian, of Day Lewis Plc, has applied for permission to install the prescription pick-up machine at Parson Drove surgery in Main Road.

The idea behind the machines is to give greater flexibility to patients, who can collect their drugs without having to interact with a pharmacist.

Patients needing to access the kiosk would be given a unique code to enable them to pick-up their prescription at a time suited to them, saving staff time and making it more convenient for users.

However, a designing out crime officer for Cambridgeshire police has commented on the application, submitted this week to Fenland District Council.

She said: “Although I have no objections to the proposal, I have concerns that introducing a drug dispenser at the location could increase the risk to the vulnerability to crime.”

The officer goes on make a number of recommendations including additional lighting to make it safer for users, the introduction of bollards to reduce the risk of the doors/machine being rammed by a vehicle, CCTV to act largely as a deterrent, which is monitored and recorded, an alarm, if there is not already one on the building, and signage making it clear the machine does not hold any controlled drugs.

She also wants consideration given to the safety and security of the person filling the machine and that a camera should be fitted in the machine to monitor any potential tampering.