Police Minister Paula Bennett has announced $1.8 million funds to co-fund security measures such as security alarms, time-safe, fog cannon among others for about 600 dairies identified at high risk as the second step of government’s response to the recent increase in the number of aggravated robberies.
We're taking this issue seriously, we want to stop these crimes from happening to innocent victims in the first place and make sure these cowards are off the streets," Ms Bennett said.
The first step has been setting up a special Police Task Force devoted exclusively for robberies a fortnight ago in Auckland.
Police have arrested 106 people in connection with around 140 odd aggravated robberies that have taken place over the past two months.
The Minister said that the Police was doing an outstanding job in reaching out to dairy owners and other small business and retail shop owners as the part of Operation Dukan.
As a part of Operation Dukan, the police have visited about 1000 dairy shops advising and education staffs on how to keep their businesses safe.
Indian Weekender has recently covered Operation Dukan live in South Auckland where ethnic police officer visited a local dairy shop auditing security measures installed, offering advice on preventive measures and most important of all educating the staffs and dairy owners on how to remain safe in the eventuality of being targeted by robbers.
The Minster said that the Police had identified close to 600 shops that are at risk through intelligence that will be eligible to receive 50 per cent of the funding required to upgrade security measures in their businesses.
Dairy owners will have to apply to New Zealand Police to receive the funding.
In exceptional cases, more than 50 per cent funding can also be considered to help the dairy owners at risk.
Rejecting allegations that it was too little and too late, the Minister affirmed that the Police and government had made their calculations and $1.8 million funds would be enough to help the embattled dairy owners.
“If the funding is over subscribed then I will reconsider and take it to the cabinet,” the Minister said reassuringly.
“Aggravated robbery is a serious crime. These criminals need to know that they could face 14 years in prison and they’re much more likely to get caught now Police have these new measures in place.”
This funding comes on top of the “There’s nothing good about stolen goods” campaign announced by Police last week which targets businesses or individuals receiving stolen property from robberies. Rewards have been offered through Crimestoppers for those who provide information which leads to a conviction.
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