Patrons sheltered under tables fearing for their lives as two masked men shot up a North Shore pub before robbing the bar.
Police are bolstering their presence on the North Shore after a "frightening" and "brazen" aggravated robbery at a packed pub.
On Saturday moments after the All Blacks game ended about 9.45pm, two masked men dressed in black, one carrying a shotgun, entered the Good Home gastropub in Birkenhead, witnesses havesaid.
It was the third armed robbery of a North Shore pub this year, after similar incidents at the Mad Dogs and Englishmen pub and another at the Good Home in January. All three incidents involved two masked males, with at least one carrying a firearm.
There were two other armed robberies on the North Shore going back to June last year when a solo gunman robbed Postman's Leg sports bar, and another robbed Vino in October.
One man who tried to apprehend the armed man was bashed in the face.
"I was sitting on the ground and he said, 'Stay down or I'll shoot you'."
The offender then fired warning shots into the ceiling.
Another said people were sheltering for their lives under tables.
"Everybody in the bar was yelling and screaming. I thought somebody was going to be killed."
Police are investigating the armed robbery of the Good Home Bar in Birkenhead on Saturday night. Photo / Dean Purcell
McNaughton said police were "very concerned" about this type of offending.
"This incident would have been incredibly frightening for those members of the public who were in the bar at the time.
"Police are obviously very concerned by this type of offending and the use of a firearm in such circumstances.
"It was completely brazen and the lack of regard for the public's safety is a huge concern to us."
Police were continuing their inquiries into Saturday's aggravated robbery, including canvassing the wider area for CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses, he said.
"Additional resource has been brought in to assist with this investigation and we will be increasing our visibility in Birkenhead and the wider North Shore area."
The bar is owned by the Birkenhead Licensing Trust, which redistributes profits to the community.
Trust deputy chairman Shane Prince said staff were holding up fairly well given the "traumatic event".
Police checking out neighbouring shops for clues. Photo / Dean Purcell
The trust had put in place victim support and counselling for staff and those who were in the bar at the time of the robbery.
"A few have taken it up so far, and I did some welfare checks yesterday and will continue to do so," Prince said.
After closing yesterday for forensic testing the pub had reopened today, but trustees were "concerned" about the incident, the second armed robbery this year, Prince said.
"When someone waves a shotgun around you should not confront them. Do exactly as they say, let the process run its course.
"When that patron did intervene shots were fired, and fortunately he shot in the air and not across the room."
They were not sure yet how much money had been stolen, but Prince said it was the community, not just the bar, that was the victim.
"It wasn't just the bar but the community that was robbed. Proceeds from the bar go back into the community, sports clubs and schools."
Anyone with information was urged to contact Waitematā District Crime Squad on 09 839 0697, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by sending a private message to the North Shore, Rodney and West Auckland Facebook page.
