Editorial: We need to stand together

Lantern Light Diary on the corner of Grove Road. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Another brutal attack on an innocent member of our community. This time in the dead of night Lantern Light dairy owner Lance Mackie was set upon by two males who were attempting to rob his shop.

Corner stores are too often the target of burglars. They appear to see them as an easy hit.

We, as a community, should be up in arms over this.

These dairies are in the heart of our community.

They are in residential streets, where children live and play.

We don't want thugs running around with weapons.

These places need our support. We should be setting up Neighbourhood Watches with dairy owners. If you live near a dairy and hear an alarm going off, get on the phone straight away. Call the police, call the dairy, make some noise. I'm not saying you should run onto the premises and put yourself in danger but you could easily open your door and make enough noise to ensure the burglars realise they are not alone, free to steal and hurt people.

Owner Lance Mackie is in a serious but stable condition in Hawke's Bay Hospital.

I have been to this dairy numerous time. The owners and staff are wonderful, kind people.

They must feel violated by these offenders who attacked their partner and boss.

When they are caught let's hope the penalty fits the crime.