Teaming up to beat crime
Two leading organisations have teamed up to form a powerful, united voice for the country’s most vulnerable retailers.
The Motor Trade Association (MTA) and Dairy and Business Owners’ Group (DBOG) have formed an alliance called Safer Shops.
They will campaign and work with the government for greater protection for service stations, dairies and liquor stores, increased police action, and new measures to prevent crime and deal with offenders.
“These retail businesses are under constant threat of crime,” says Lee Marshall, the MTA’s chief executive. “Violent crime which leaves hard-working Kiwis injured physically and scarred mentally, and theft which threatens their existence.
“These important businesses, their people and customers will now have a strong voice dedicated to their protection – Safer Shops.”
DBOG’s chair, Manish Thakkar, says dairies and liquor stores deserve full government protection.
“Just last week, a gang of four masked men stormed a Lower Hutt dairy and assaulted the woman behind the counter,” says Thakkar, pictured above right with Marshall.
“That is unacceptable but shows the danger dairies face every day. The government must do more to stop and punish offenders and keep our people safe.”
While the Safer Shops alliance acknowledges the government has taken steps to address retail crime over the past year, there is still much work to do.
Too much emphasis is still placed on service stations, dairies and liquor stores to defend themselves when the government and police have a duty and obligation to protect them.
James McDowall, the MTA’s head of advocacy, says: “Both our organisations have worked hard to convince the government there needs to be new thinking and action, and we’ve achieved a lot. Together, we will be an even more powerful and persuasive force for change.”
Thakkar adds: “Tragically, we have already lost the life of Janak Patel, bravely defending his business [in Auckland] against violent attackers.
“We are committed to making sure no one else has to suffer a similar tragedy. Everyone has the right to work safely and go home to loved ones.
“Safer Shops will be the only co-ordinated voice of dairies, liquor stores and service stations to advocate for change.”
As a first step, Safer Shops is requesting meetings with Mark Mitchell, the Minister of Police, and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers to discuss how the partnership, government and police can work together to protect at-risk Kiwis.
Ash Parmar, vice-chairman of the DBOG, says: “Mark Mitchell understands the problems we face. We look forward to working with him and Commissioner Chambers to keep Kiwis safe and prevent another tragedy.”
