Message for the robbers

Tararua’s mayor has a message for robbers in the district – ‘‘you will not get away with this and our communities will not tolerate it either’’.

Business owners in Dannevirke and Woodville are worried after a spate of armed robberies and burglaries, but mayor Tracey Collis said CCTV cameras and community patrols should help keep crime down.

Dannevirke’s Caltex, Four Square, and Saigon Restaurant and Bar have all been targeted by armed robbers in the past three months. Woodville’s DJ’S Dairy was also burgled in March.

‘‘This is something we want to stamp out in our communities,’’ Collis said.

Collis said people in the community had shared their shock about the recent crimes.

Dannevirke’s Saigon Restaurant and Bar was the latest venue to be targeted.

Duty manager Binh Van Long said he was held at knifepoint and threatened with death if he did not hand over money.

After the incident, Collis said she was ‘‘devastated to have another robbery’’ and felt for the owners and staff.

Collis planned to visit the venue to speak to staff.

The spike in armed robberies was not something Dannevirke had experienced before, she said.

Collis said the council had good CCTV surveillance coverage within the township and would be helping police and community patrols, which was reassuring for residents. ‘‘We will certainly be having further conversations with the Chamber of Commerce, businesses and police.’’

In Palmerston North, business owners had a meeting with police last weekend and there were calls for tougher sentences.

Manawatu Chamber of Commerce chief executive Amanda Linsley said it was terrible businesses suffered as a result of the crimes.