The recently-completed upgrades outside the supermarket in Ahuriri, Napier. Photo / Paul Taylor
The recently-completed upgrades outside the supermarket in Ahuriri, Napier. Photo / Paul Taylor
A ram raid on a Napier supermarket has led to a council-funded traffic island and kerb heightening to deter future offenders.
Napier City Council says it is a "first of its kind" project for the council, and it will consider requests from other businesses on a "case by case basis"around similar crime prevention projects.
The council recently built a new median island outside Four Square Ahuriri "to reduce the risk of a vehicle being driven directly into the store doors at speed".
Damage to the front of the Four Square after the ram raid. Photo / Paul Taylor
"In this case, it has meant installing a high median in the middle of the road, to reduce the risk of a vehicle being driven directly into the store doors at speed from the other side of the road.
"Council has also raised the kerb outside the doors, again as a speed reducing measure."
The spokeswoman said installing bollards outside stores was not a preferred option for the council as it did not "align with the Napier Disability Strategy, being obstacles to mobility and for visually impaired".
She said they did not have a final cost confirmed for how much the project cost for a new median island and kerb.
CCTV footage taken from across the road during the July 20 attempted robbery of Four Square Ahuriri appeared to show a truck backing across Ossian St into the store - where the new median strip and kerb have now been built.
A CCTV still shot showing the vehicle used in the Ahuriri ram raid early on July 20. Photo / Supplied
Police are still looking for the offenders involved in that incident.
Ahuriri Four Square's manager declined to comment on the project.
That supermarket has been ram raided three times in the past three years.
Hastings District Council confirmed it did not have a similar fund to Napier City Council for projects like building median strips for businesses impacted by crime.
Meanwhile, police have arrested and charged an 18-year-old in relation to the ram raid of Four Square Frimley in Hastings on July 26, and have apprehended one youth in relation to the ram raid of Four Square Bayview in Napier on July 30 who is being dealt with in the Youth Court.
The Government released $6 million from the Proceeds of Crime Fund earlier this year to help retailers and police work on solutions to prevent ram raids, such as installing bollards. That funding is managed by police.
Businesses that want to inquire with Napier City Council about support on crime prevention projects like the traffic island should contact the customer service department, and they will be put in touch with a relevant staff member.
Ram raids in Napier in recent months:
Mar 18: Stirling Sports Napier and Westshore Corner Store May 31: Meeanee Hotel July 20: Four Square Ahuriri July 30: Four Square Bayview
