LMI Group founder and MD Allan Manning has urged homeowners and businesses to take a fresh look at their security and insurance programs, after surprising a burglar at his company’s Melbourne office on a Saturday night.

Professor Manning says the intruder smashed the building’s front door’s glass with a piece of concrete and was inside, with the alarm sounding, for about 15 minutes while the security company raised the alert.

“On my way over I learned from our alarm company that the rear access door had been activated, so I headed for there,” Professor Manning says in a blog post. “I also contacted the police and advised them a robbery was under way and I was about to arrive.”

Professor Manning says, against police advice, he entered the office.

“Unbeknown to me, the thief had picked up a dagger that had only been put on display the day before in our office.

“Fortunately, he dropped most things other than the dagger and whatever he had in his pockets as he ran for his life out of the building, right across the street.”

The burglar ran past his own vehicle, hid in a laneway, then later returned to his car, driving away just as police arrived.

Professor Manning says LMI has improved security since moving to the office in May 2000. It has a back-to-base alarm system, 10 cameras and bars on windows not facing the main street. The group is now making further improvements.

The crime happened at 10.30pm on July 9, when there was still plenty of traffic outside the office.

“The fact there was a security camera clearly visible from the footpath in front of our building and the traffic on a busy road still did not deter the thief,” Professor Manning says. “On the positive side, no data was lost and no one was injured, although my feet did get some glass in them from walking over the broken glass door. And we were fully insured.”

Professor Manning says after a burglary it is important to carry out virus checks on computers left behind, and ensure no physical device is inserted into machines. It’s also important to check if any keys have been stolen.

The break-in also highlights the importance of high-quality camera footage. And Professor Manning says police were impressed the company had recorded computer and laptop serial numbers and had them clearly marked, while photos had been taken of valuable items.

“The event has also reinforced to all our claims team just how it feels to be a victim rather than going out and looking at claims, and there is certainly an emotional stress that none of us should forget to the victims of loss or damage, particularly as a result of a violent robbery or fire,” Professor Manning says.