Crime Prevention For Workers In Small Businesses
A
crime prevention initiative to improve the safety of workers
in small businesses like dairies, liquor stores and petrol
stations is to be rolled out to hundreds more
locations. Police Minister Stuart Nash has announced
new funding for fog cannons in retail premises where workers
face a high risk of aggravated robbery. “We are
almost doubling the number of fog cannons to be installed
thanks to extra funding,” Mr Nash said. “An estimated
470 extra retail premises will be eligible. Fog cannons have
already been installed in 523 locations. “Fog
cannons have been activated by workers in 29 businesses and
in all cases there were no injuries to staff and minimal
property loss for business owners. The fog cannon scheme has
a marked impact on the safety of workers in retail
premises. “Commercial aggravated robberies are at
their lowest level in five years. We have experienced a
significant decrease in the number of robberies. There were
21 robberies in December 2019, a fall of more than 70
percent on the 78 robberies in April 2017. “There
was a 21 percent reduction in aggravated robberies during
2019, compared to the previous year. Since April 2017 Police
have identified and dealt with 1,277
offenders. “Many robberies are fuelled by a desire
for a quick buck to feed a drug habit. Wastewater analysis
indicates that methamphetamine use has fallen by 17 percent
in the first full year of nationwide testing. It’s still
early days but it’s headed in the right
direction. “Extra Police resources have also enabled
a new focus on aggravated robberies. This includes more
detectives, more staff to work with youth, and Police who
work with small business owners and industry
groups. “Police are making it easier to report crime
with the new 105 (ten-five) number. They urge the community
to report people trying to sell bulk or discounted goods
like cigarettes or alcohol, which have likely been
stolen. “Most of the fog cannons, around 82 percent,
have been installed in superettes and dairies. Fifteen
percent are in petrol stations and three percent in liquor
stores. “Police also provide other crime prevention
advice to business owners. This includes options like CCTV
cameras, securing tobacco in a lock box, bolting down cash
registers, removing advertising posters which block windows,
and adding mirrors to blind spots. “Almost half the
fog cannons currently installed are in the Police districts
of Counties Manukau, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty, and others
are distributed all over the country. The $1.9 million
additional funding is from the Proceeds of Crime
Fund. “Fog cannons emit a non-toxic cloud of vapour
and a high-pitched noise to deter offenders and minimise the
risk of violence to workers. They effectively create a
barrier and a no-go zone that confuses the offender and
allows workers to escape. “Not all businesses are
eligible. Owners apply to Police who do an assessment based
on risk, such as whether they have been robbed in the past
and the number of Police callouts to incidents within 100
metres of the shop. “We expanded support for at-risk
businesses in 2018 after only three took advantage of an
earlier scheme. That scheme required an up-front
contribution of around $2,000 and shop owners could not
afford to take part. Under the new scheme, business owners
pay no more than $250. Fog cannons cost around
$4,000. “The Coalition Government is also focussed
on other ways to improve community safety and prevent crime.
We are training extra Police, targeting organised crime such
as gangs behind the methamphetamine trade, and tightening
controls on firearms,” Mr Nash
says.ENDS
Background:
Fog cannon installations to date, by Police District
District | Fog cannon numbers |
Northland | 28 |
Waitemata | 35 |
Auckland city | 49 |
Counties Manukau | 93 |
Waikato | 84 |
Bay of Plenty | 61 |
Eastern | 29 |
Central | 49 |
Wellington | 33 |
Canterbury | 40 |
Tasman | 2 |
Southern | 20 |
Total | 523 |