Auckland jeweller recovers from robbery, urges community safety

By Finn Blackwell of RNZ

A jewellery store owner is still concerned about safety, months after being hospitalised in a robbery.

In June, Gurdeep Singh and his family were tending to their store, Pooja Jewellers in Auckland’s Papatoetoe, when a group of men burst in, trying to grab trays of jewellery.

Singh tried to intervene and was struck multiple times in the head with a hammer by one of the assailants.

The group fled the scene after Singh’s son chased them out of the shop with a sword.

Five people were arrested in relation to the incident earlier in the year, including a 16-year-old who was charged with aggravated robbery.

Months on, Singh said he was doing well and feeling positive, though he was still physically recovering.

“The pain is still there a bit,” he said.

“This injury has done something to my eyes – I’m kind of finding it very hard to work with the bright lights on.

“With the pain and stuff, as ... the doctor said, it will take maybe a year or so to heal 100%.”

Singh said they had since increased security in the store, and had not had any further break-ins or attacks after the June attack.

“The door is much bigger, stronger, it’s just impossible to get through now,” he said.

“We have extra locks, and we are always aware and vigilant to see what’s going on.”

Some safety concerns still remained, however.

Jewellery store owner, Gurdeep Singh, 50, was seriously injured after being struck over the head by a hammer and stabbed in the forehead by teenage armed robbers. Photo / Jason Dorday

“We feel safe when we are inside the store. I do feel sometimes with other people out there, I don’t know, one crazy person could come out, attack for no reason,” he said.

“It’s not just what happened to us, it’s just what’s actually happening around the world, especially in South Auckland – that we’re noticing a lot of stabbing and killing and shooting and stuff like that.

“My concern is for the whole community actually, to be honest, not just only for me and my family.”

Police were checking in on Pooja Jewellers as RNZ arrived to interview Singh.

He said foot patrols from police and community patrollers were making a difference.

“It does make me feel more protected,” he said.

“I feel safe, and I feel comfortable and happy for the shoppers, the people coming in from other parts of the city to Papatoetoe.”

Singh said the local retail association was in the process of working with Auckland Transport and the council to install more CCTV in the area.

“We have a few, but I realised not all of them are in working condition as they should be.

“We have requested for new CCTV, and hopefully we will have more cameras very soon in the town.”

Singh said he wanted more security personnel in the area into the new year, and for them to be present for longer hours than the previous patrols.

He said following his attack, Papatoetoe retailers had come together.

“We’re all looking out for each other, helping and supporting. That’s the best thing that’s happened in our town. I think that will continue in coming years as well.”

- RNZ

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