At least six dead after a tragic night on roads across NZ, 24,000 applicants for emergency housing and the signs that youth crime programme is helping tamariki not re-offend in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald
Two Burger King employees who were allegedly stabbed during a robbery incident are in a serious condition and security is being increased at the South Auckland outlet, the company says.
A spokesperson for Burger King NZ said the company is shocked and horrified by yesterday’s incident.
“We are focused onsupporting them and their families through this truly awful incident.
“We have increased our security at the store and we are continuing to work closely with the Police on their investigation.”
Unite Union organiser Joe Carolan said fast food workers were reporting quite a lot of violence at work during the weekends where a lot of customers were intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
National Secretary John Crocker said no amount of money in till was more important than the safety of workers.
“This kind of thing is absolutely horrible. Robberies can happen at any time. From a health and safety point of view, the risk is considered higher on Friday, Saturday and Sunday when people are drinking but the companies need to look at it as robberies can happen at all times.”
The two victims were rushed to hospital and were being treated for serious injuries, police said.
A 26-year-old man facing charges of assault with intent to rob and wound with intent to cause grievous bodily harm has appeared in the Papakura District Court this morning.
He is charged with assaulting one man with a knife with intent to rob him. He is also charged with causing grievous bodily harm to a second man.
He cannot yet be named for legal reasons.
Auckland councillor Daniel Newman said there was a growing sense of concern about criminal offending in the community. Photo / Michael Craig
They said the man allegedly stabbed the two people before fleeing the scene. He was found nearby a short time later and taken into custody.
The alleged stabbing of two Burger King workers is a “damn disgrace” and “a new low”, Manurewa-Papakura ward councillor Daniel Newman says.
Newman this morning told Newstalk ZB yesterday’s incident had amplified concerns of “law and order” in the community.
“It’s a new low at a time when there is a prevailing sense of lawlessness in the community,” he said.
“It is a damn disgrace because people got to go about their lawful business.”
Newman said most customers who went to the eatery were good and lawful people.
“It’s just beyond comprehension that something like this could take place.
“Retail workers don’t go to work and then get stabbed by customers.”
Newman said there was a growing sense of concern about criminal offending in the community.
“It really sets a level of concern about what is happening in our community at a time when people are anxious not only about the cost of living, not only about law and order but also about the general sense of where people are, the wellbeing of our neighbourhood.
“This is something that is of concern to me and to other local residents.”
Detective Inspector Tofilau Fa’amanuia Va’aelua, of Counties Manukau CIB, said he wanted to acknowledge how alarming and concerning an incident like this was to the public.
“These two people were simply doing their jobs and could not have anticipated coming to work today and becoming victims in an incident like this.
“We will be supporting them and their families as we move through our investigation and the court process.
“We hope it is reassuring that we have made a quick arrest and will put this person before the courts to be held accountable.”
Details of charges would be released once they are confirmed, police said.
