Watch: The Hastings dairy owner who took on a gunman 'twice her size' and won

An elderly Hastings dairy worker who used a baseball bat to fend off a gunman trying to rob her says the local Camberley community is keeping her safe.

Police were called to the attempted armed theft at Kiwi Street Foodmarket on Kiwi St, Camberley, about 11.30am on Thursday.

Co-owner Daksha Patel warded off the would-be-robber after the stocky armed man entered the store wearing all black with his face covered, demanding money.

Daksha Patel, 67, fended off an armed attempted robber at Kiwi Street Foodmarket, Camberley. Photo / Paul Taylor

After placing a bag on the counter and telling the lone store worker to fill it with cash and cigarettes, he revealed a large gun from under a towel.

The 67-year-old said the offender nudged some jars of lollies on to the floor in frustration after Patel's lack of response at having the gun pointed at her.

"He threw the bag on the counter at said 'give me the money', but I didn't do anything," she said.

"When I saw the gun I was definitely scared, but I knew I couldn't leave or get out from behind the counter.

"I wouldn't have been able to get past him as he was almost double my size."

Patel, originally from India, said her first instinct was to grab the phone, but after the armed man came behind the counter, she was left with only one choice.

"I grabbed the bat and he still tried to get the money and then banged our fridge in anger," she said.

"We've had no trouble in 17 years here, and I'd never had to use the bat before, but I instinctively lifted the stick at him and he ran away."

An elderly Hastings dairy worker who fended off an armed attempted robber with a baseball bat. Photo / Supplied

Patel said she was relieved when the man fled down Kiwi St away from her family business.
She said the local community, no matter their affiliation, make the store feel safe.

"We do feel safe here, even with this happening," she said. "The locals, even the Mongrel Mob, are part of the community. We feel safe with them."

Acting Detective Sergeant Ryan Kemsley discouraged members of the public from putting themselves in harm's way, but acknowledge Patel's bravery.

"However, we acknowledge this was a fast-paced situation and people will react differently in similar circumstances," he said.

"This was a confronting situation for the store owner and her immediate reaction was to defend herself and her property."

At least two schools in the vicinity, as well as Hawke's Bay Hospital, were put into a precautionary lockdown as the armed man fled the scene.

Spokespeople from Heretaunga Intermediate and Camberley schools confirmed students and staff had been put into lockdown.

A Hawke's Bay District Health Board spokeswoman said Hawke's Bay Hospital was also put into lockdown for 15 minutes as a "precautionary measure" during the incident.

Police conducted area searches in an attempt to locate the person involved in the incident, but are yet to make an arrest.

Kemsley said police are following a number of lines of inquiry.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 105 and quote file number 201211/7578.