Cash taken in robbery of Whangarei stationers/Kiwibank

Emergency police tape stops customers from going inside Kensington Stationers after a robbery. Photo/Michael Cunningham

An undisclosed amount of cash was taken in the robbery of Kensington Stationers when three robbers, one armed with a pistol, demanded money and then fled in a stolen car.

Three staff members and about five customers were left shaken and traumatised by the robbery about 10.40am today. Police were quick to cordon off the small shopping area including Kensington Stationers which also doubles as a PostShop and a Kiwibank.

Whangarei police Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Rob Huys said three people, all believed to be males, had their heads and faces covered when they entered the shop and confronted a staff member.

"One of them is believed to have been armed with a small pistol," Mr Huys said. "They demanded money and left shortly after with an undisclosed amount of cash."

The trio fled in a silver-coloured Holden Commodore which had been stolen a couple of days earlier from a property in Whangarei. The registration number is AUH729.

It was found abandoned in Lupton Ave and a track by a police dog and handler was unable to find the males.

"Thankfully no one was injured in this incident. But the people and staff in the shop were shaken and extremely traumatised by what happened."

Mr Huys said they would be offered help by Victim Support as soon as possible. Police want to hear from anyone who many have seen any suspicious activity around the Kensington shops before the robbery or anyone who may have seen the stolen car in the days before.

A business owner said she heard a person yell out the Postshop was being robbed.

A customer who was in the shop with her immediately ducked down to keep out of sight and then saw the three people sprinting passed the front window. She rang police straight away.

"They got into a car and took off. It all happened so fast and we were just trying to stay out of sight."

A Kiwibank spokeswoman said staff and customers were not injured and all were safe.

She said staff always received support in these situations. It was hoped the business would be open again tomorrow but that depended on how staff were feeling.

Anyone who might have information that could help police should contact Whangarei Police Station on 430 4500 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.