Police target robberies

After a spate of armed robberies in Manawatu¯ the region’s police have launched an operation to combat the attacks.

Detective Jaz Woollett is the lead investigator in the newly formed Operation Star team, which he said was dedicated to getting to the bottom of the recent robberies and ensuring business owners were prepared to protect themselves from crime.

‘‘The primary target for these robberies has been our local dairies and service stations – family owned businesses, which are an important part of our communities,’’ Woollett said.

‘‘Aggravated robberies are vicious crimes. The trauma they cause should not be underestimated.

‘‘Our team is determined to identify the offenders behind these hideous crimes and hold them to account.’’

Palmerston North’s Herbert Ave Dairy and Limbrick St Maxi Mart are among the businesses robbed in recent months, with the robbers targeting cigarettes and cash. Woollett said as well as investigating the robberies, crime-prevention teams would work with dairy and servicestation owners and employees to teach them what to do if they were targeted.

"These offenders are targeting innocent, hardworking people who provide an essential service to us from early in the morning to late in the evenings, seven days a week,’’ Woollett said.

"If you recognise people unfamiliar to your area hanging around your local dairy or service station, or if you see someone acting suspiciously, we need you to let us know.’’

Woollett said people should call 111 if they witnessed a crime. Anyone with information can call police on 06 351 2600 or give information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.