ISSUE 72 SEPTEMBER 2024
THE VOICE OF THE NEW ZEALAND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
MTA calls for Government to tackle retail crime scourge THE MOTOR TRADE ASSOCIATION (MTA) IS CALLING ON GOVERNMENT TO TAKE A BOLD, INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO PROTECTING SERVICE STATION WORKERS AND OTHER RETAIL BUSINESSES FROM CRIME
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ervice stations are the lifeblood of New Zealand’s communities, providing essential services and enabling people to travel, work, and connect with loved ones. However, the alarming rise in crime against these vital businesses threatens their viability and the safety of their workers and customers. The Motor Trade Association (MTA), as a leading automotive industry membership organisation, is taking a stand to support its 920 service station members and protect them from the devastating impact of crime.
THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM Crime is an everyday risk and reality for service stations. Violent, terrifying,
aggravated robberies and ram raids put workers’ lives at risk and result in physical injury and long-lasting mental trauma. Drive-off fuel theft costs businesses millions of dollars a year. The statistics paint a grim picture. Since 1 January 2023, New Zealand Police have recorded a staggering 41,000 offences against service stations, with 60 aggravated robberies and nearly 12,000 reports of theft in the first five months of this year alone. These violent incidents leave vulnerable workers injured and traumatised, while driveoff fuel theft costs businesses millions of dollars annually.
Many service stations are independently owned and operated by hard-working New Zealanders who face an existential threat from crime. When they are forced to close, restrict operations, or increase prices, everyone suffers. As MTA chief executive Lee Marshall states, “Crime against service stations is crime against the community.”
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IMPROVE ALL-WEATHER ALL-WEATHER IMPROVE VISIBILITY! VISIBILITY!