All Good Petfood owner Luanne Vacy-Lyle wants police to take action. Photo / Jenny Ling
All Good Petfood owner Luanne Vacy-Lyle wants police to take action. Photo / Jenny Ling
Far North businesses fed up with constant crime are calling for police action after a particularly high number of burglaries in Kerikeri over the past month.
Business owners say theft, burglaries, and attempted break-ins are a regular occurrence on Mill Lane, an industrial street in the town.
They claim that because the crimes are relatively low‑level, police do not follow them up.
Police confirmed three reports of burglary and one report of theft from businesses on Mill Lane during February and March.
Police did not respond directly to claims that officers were not following up on crime in the area.
Luanne Vacy-Lyle, who owns All Good Petfood, said she’s had two break-ins over the past year by people trying to steal coins from her 24-hour DIY dog wash facility outside the building.
The most recent was on March 18 at 2.40am, when CCTV footage captured a vehicle driving in and a guy in a hoodie getting out with various tools trying to break in.
Damage of around $2000 was done as the offender hacked at the stainless-steel reinforced unit and padlocks with bolt-cutters, despite signs saying no cash was kept at the site.
Vacy-Lyle reported the incident to police, providing footage that included the make and model of the car and a description of the offender.
“I haven’t heard a word,” she said.
Vacy-Lyle was disappointed in the lack of communication from police.
“I understand there was no threat to life, but it’s something you want to know your local guys are looking into.”
After the incident, Vacy-Lyle said, she asked other Mill Rd businesses if they had extra video footage.
“Four out of five businesses within 80m said they’d had incidents within the last month.”
She wanted more monitoring and updates from police about the crimes taking place.
Ruby still managed to get a wash despite thieves trying to destroy the washing facility. Photo / Jenny Ling
Glen Mason, the owner of Jim Murdoch Honda Service Centre, said his Mill Rd business was targeted “constantly”.
Over the years, customers’ cars that he couldn’t park inside had their fuel tanks drilled and gas siphoned, and number plates, tyres, equipment, and scrap metal had been stolen, he said.
“Every few days, people go through the rubbish and skip bins looking for scrap [to sell].
“I don’t put anything outside any more but they still go through all the bins, looking for stuff to sell.
“It happens constantly – anything that gets left outside."
Mason alleged a man had once tried to run him over after he confronted the man reportedly trying to take his scrap metal.
He said that after one significant incident – when thieves stole a water blaster and car batteries worth around $2000 a few years ago – he reported it to police.
“But nothing was done, so I gave up.
“The cops don’t care because it’s not big enough for them, which I understand ... it’s just annoying.
“It’s created a constant problem for me.”
Mid North area response manager senior sergeant Mark Barratt said police had been unable to identify the offender or the vehicle used from CCTV footage supplied by Vacy-Lyle.
“Staff have had to juggle recent severe weather events, alongside other demands," he said.
“Unfortunately, this has meant a delay in following up with the business owner.”
A police spokeswoman urged anyone with information to call 105, or to provide information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.
