Govt more than doubles support for victims of retail crime

Police Minister Ginny Andersen announced on 21 April a doubling of the government’s investment into the retail crime prevention programme.

“Last year we saw a spike in ram raids and other retail crime that was having a real impact on our communities,” Ginny Andersen said.

“While those numbers are trending down, I want to make sure we are continuing to support Police on prevention and reassurance in our communities. So today I’m announcing a further $9 million to top up the retail crime prevention fund, bringing the total investment to $15 million.

According to the minister, a total of 501 stores that were a victim of a ram raid or aggravated robbery have had quotes approved, and a total of 2383 interventions have been approved for eligible stores. A total of 1021 security interventions have been completed and invoiced by contractors.

Installations so far have included 222 fog cannons, 181 security sirens, 193 alarms, 195 CCTV systems or system upgrades, 82 bollards or similar security measures, 101 roller doors, and 47 other interventions that include improved lighting/strengthened windows.

“The Retail Crime Prevention Programme is delivering for dairies and small shops and the feedback we are getting from the community is great,” she said. “They really appreciate the backing the Government has given them and it’s great they are getting on board with us.”

According to the minister, as at 18 April, 342 installations had been completed with 892 applications approved under the fog cannon subsidy programme being managed through MBIE.

She also made note of Government funded programmes aimed at holding the young people who are committing retail crimes accountable, and if possible, getting them back on the right track.

Last year the Government expanded Kotahi te Whakaaro, which has so far seen 82 percent of children referred to the programme not reoffending. The Government, she stated, also initiated a circuit breaker to intervene within 24 hours if a young person was a recidivist offender and stop them from committing further crime. The programme has dealt with 84 children so far and of them 67 have not reoffended.

“The majority of these young offenders have a family history of violence, so we need to make sure we get in early and break the cycle of crime,” said the minister.

“The Government is making sure that victims of retail offending are supported, while also taking a pragmatic approach to make sure that those who are offending are held to account, and where appropriate into programmes to help get them back on the right track,” she said.