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A NAME YOU CAN TRUST! Thursday, June 1, 2017
Vol 46, No 22
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COMMUNITY: A Big Johns Dairy spokeswoman said staff are thankful for the involvement and investment of the local community, which led to a successful prosecution following the April 15 aggravated robbery. Times photo Laura Brookes
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‘We live in fear’ By LAURA BROOKES
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airy owner Don Kumar lives in fear. He is not alone. The prospect of an aggravated robbery is the number one concern for dairy and gas station owners around east Auckland. This month, police are making additional efforts to crack down on those who benefit most from the crime. New Zealand Police have launched a nationwide campaign for the month of June targeting those responsible for receiving and dealing in stolen property from aggravated robberies. In partnership with Crimestoppers, police will be offering a reward for any information that leads to a successful prosecution as part of the campaign There’s Nothing Good about Stolen Goods. It follows a chain of aggravated robberies across some New Zea-
JAMI-LEE ROSS
MP FOR BOTANY Feel free to contact me anytime. A
PO Box 230109, Botany, Auckland 2163
P
09 271 3255
E
botanymp@parliament.govt.nz
W
www.jami-leeross.co.nz
land communities, including right here in east Auckland where a recent attack on Big Johns Dairy in Pakuranga left the store owner in hospital suffering from serious facial injuries. Police commissioner Mike Bush said the month-long campaign is part of an intentional response by police to a rise in the number of violent robberies. “NZ Police are deeply concerned about the rise in this violent crime – due to its significant impact on small business owners and their workers and communities. The campaign we’re announcing today provides us with another tool to tackle aggravated robberies. “By targeting those who profit from these crimes by trading in stolen shop and dairy goods such as cigarettes and alcohol, we’re aiming to make a serious dent in the opportunity for these crimes
to be committed.” Police will be running a series of targeted advertisements across social media channels including Facebook encouraging people to call Crimestoppers if they have any information on stolen goods from aggravated robberies, enabling members of the public to provide information anonymously. Area commander Counties Manukau East inspector Wendy Spiller said it’s an issue police are using a targeted approach to deal with locally in conjunction with a number of community partners. It’s news that comes as a small relief for Priestly Drive Superette owner Don Kumar, who admitted he fears an anticipated attack on a daily basis. Despite having roller doors, alarms, CCTV cameras and other preventative measures in place, Mr Kumar said it’s not always
proven to be enough. “We know that the best security in the world can’t stop someone if they are bent on doing what they’ve set out to do. There are predominantly good people in our community. We believe in respect for our customer and respect from the customer... so when this happens, it’s very demoralising. To be bluntly honest, we live in fear every day of an attempted robbery... that’s our lifestyle.” Tamariki Dairy owner Mahendra Manu shared a similar sentiment. He worries “the whole day and night” about what potential offenders could carry out. “In the past, they used to do it at night, but now it happens anytime, in the daytime even... and sometimes its physical harm – that leaves a physical scar that stays with you for the rest of your ➤ Turn to Page 5 life.
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