Whanganui police seek connection between robberies, discuss crime prevention

Midway Superette installed cages some years ago to protect staff. Photo / Bevan Conley

Whanganui business owners will get together tomorrow to discuss how to prevent crime as police investigate whether three robberies in the past week are connected.

Saturday's robbery of BP on Anzac Parade followed the robberies of Black Bull Liquor in Whanganui East and the Victoria Ave Gull service station on Wednesday and Thursday last week.

"These type of crimes are always disturbing both for staff members involved
but also for members of the public that are nearby," Detective Sergeant Dave Thompson said.

The BP robbery occurred about 10.30pm when two offenders entered the
service station and took a quantity of cigarettes and cash. They then fled on foot along Anzac Parade and police believe a vehicle may have been parked close by which the offenders used to get away.

"On all three occasions staff and the public have done everything right," Thompson said.

"They haven't put themselves in harm's way but observed and taken in as much
detail as possible."

Police are also keen to speak to anyone who has been offered or seen cheap tobacco and or cigarettes recently.

Meanwhile, a business crime prevention seminar will be held at Cooks Gardens tomorrow and will provide advice to local retail businesses and cover crime prevention advice, police investigations, ways to prevent looking like a target and shop layouts that discourage theft.

Duncan St Dairy employee Myles Taituma said robberies in the area appeared to be increasing in recent years.

"I think it's mainly just smokes and obviously money because it's there as well," he said.

"I know everyone in this area and the community is pretty awesome. They respect me and the store. It definitely wouldn't be people around here."

Taituma said cameras on the street would help "just to have more chance of catching them".

"Maybe someone could help out the community by putting in cameras. The police can't actually do much more themselves. They can't sit outside a store 24/7."

People interested in attending can register with Lauren.Tamehana@whanganui.govt.nz

Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to contact Detective Greg
Gray on (06) 215 4138 or the Whanganui Police Station on (06) 349 0600.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.