Raid sparks call for crime action
The Motor Trade Association (MTA) is calling on the government to take action to help combat crime after a “frightening attack” at an Auckland service station over the weekend.
Lee Marshall, chief executive, says the coalition needs to back up its tough talk with measures because the risk of similar incidents happening is a daily threat for many fuel stations.
His comments come after CCTV footage released to media has emerged showing nine offenders, some armed with hammers, attacking a Caltex service station in Western Springs at about 7am on Sunday, March 3.
One member of staff was threatened and left badly shaken by the daylight raid, pictured.
The business is owned by an MTA member, who has been offered support from the association, and the robbery is the eighth on one of his stations since January.
“We're relieved that no one was hurt in this terrifying incident,” adds Marshall. “Sadly, this sort of robbery is too common an occurrence on fuel station owners.
“At this rate, we’re headed for the kind of hell you see in Florida where gas station operators need to hide behind inch-thick steel bars for protection. We seriously need to ask ourselves if that’s a future we want.
“Most local gas stations are small, locally owned and operated franchises, and the pain of repeated robberies takes a toll not only on the business financially, but also on the physical and mental health of workers.
“The government has talked tough on tackling crime, but we now need some action, and there are some small practical steps that can be quickly enacted.”
He notes one step the government could take is to allow capital expenditure for crime protection or preventative measures to be 100 per cent tax deductible in the year in which the cost is incurred.
This suggestion was included in MTA’s call to government, Driving New Zealand Forward, which was launched last year ahead of the general election.
Marshall adds that the previous Labour government picked up the association’s call to include small service stations in the fog cannon subsidy.
“They didn’t consider the tax break option – the challenge is there for this government to pick it up.”
A recent survey of MTA fuel station members, of which there are more than 900, shows crime is the biggest concern they face.
