Staff left in fear after another liquor store incident

Police at the scene tonight. Photo/Supplied

The owner of a Rotorua bottle store chain that has been hit twice in less than a week says a tough new police campaign cracking down on criminals can't come soon enough.

However, he says tougher sentences are needed to curb the spiralling number of robberies and thefts.

The Bottle O store on Fairy Springs Rd was the scene of another incident at the weekend after a woman allegedly tried to run out of the store with a box of alcohol.

The woman tripped and police were able to arrest her within 12 seconds, as they happened to be passing.

The incident followed a violent aggravated robbery last Sunday when a store worker was hit over the head with a hammer, resulting in the worker being hospitalised for a night for a deep gash to his head.

Store owner Charanjit Dhillon, who owns four other Bottle O stores in Rotorua and one in Tauranga, said his staff were fearful of everyone walking into their stores, despite him spending $32,000 on security cameras in recent months.

Two young men are charged in relation to last Sunday's aggravated robbery and a 17-year-old woman was charged with theft for Saturday's incident.

Police last week announced a national campaign - "There's nothing good about stolen property" - in response to a steady stream of aggravated robberies at dairies, service stations and other retailers throughout New Zealand.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush said that alongside the campaign, there would be new robbery-specific taskforces and more staff on foot patrols to thwart thieves. Cash rewards would also be offered.

Mr Dhillon said his worker from last weekend's incident was still very shaken.

"He cries every time I speak to him. He doesn't feel like working."

Mr Dhillon said he too was upset and shaken from the latest incident.

When he spoke to the Rotorua Daily Post on Saturday night not long after the alleged theft, he said "my legs are still shaking".

Mr Dhillon said his staff now feared every customer was a potential thief.

"They are scared to come to work ... we think they (customers) are robbers."

He said he had a feeling something was going to happened on Saturday so further strengthened his security by putting in more cameras outside.

Speaking generally about the police's new campaign, Mr Dhillon said he wanted to see younger offenders targeted more.

"Kids are controlling this country. If kids are under control there will be a better New Zealand.