Masterton retailer fears robberies

Dairy owners may start arming themselves for protection if cigarette price hikes continue, a Masterton dairy owner warns.
Michael Pickett of the Renall Street Store said robbery incidents at dairies were already increasing and a continuing clampdown on smoking would endanger dairy owners to the point where some were considering arming themselves or fighting back.
Mr Pickett was speaking in the wake of a Maori Affairs select committee's proposals aimed at wiping out smoking by 2025.
Ideas include restricting imports and forcing the industry to fund quit programmes - both of which would push up the price.
"Every time they bump up the price, the risk goes up," Mr Pickett said.
"The threat of robbery is increasing more and more. Violence is increasing more and more."
Mr Pickett said most dairies were family owned and run.
"It's got to the point where shopkeepers are going to start arming themselves, to protect themselves and their families.
"When you trespass in that way, you endanger the whole family."
Eight years ago, the Picketts' dairy was robbed when two large men went behind the counter and grabbed $300 worth of cigarettes, while Mr Pickett was working out the back.
"They were bigger than me. I wasn't game to stop them," Mr Pickett said.
As long as cigarettes were around, "people are still going to buy it, so you've still got to have it, to keep yourself afloat".
"Those that can't afford it - some of them - will try to take it."
He said he had watched the growing number and severity of dairy robberies with alarm.
"You hear about these places getting hit with guns, machetes ... dairies, gas stations, they're even hitting supermarkets now.
"They're getting pretty game."
Mr Pickett said dairy owners were starting to fight back, and considering arming themselves or resisting robbers.
"It's your hard-earned money. You've worked your guts out for it," Mr Picket said.
Raising the price of cigarettes did result in some people giving up, but not usually younger smokers.
"The young people - it doesn't really worry them a hell of a lot," Mr Pickett said.
"It's the old people who are giving up, where it's too late - the damage is already done."
Mr Pickett has been a smoker since he was about 15, but thinks "30 years of panel-beating" had a more serious effect on his lungs.
The shopkeeper said he had no opinion on tobacco displays.
"As far as hiding the smokes is concerned, I don't care."
Mr Pickett said he doubted the Government would ever legislate to make New Zealand totally smokefree.
"I don't think there's going to be an issue.
"They'll lose too many multimillion dollars."