Partnership helping to reduce station robberies

‘‘By working together we believe we're actually making a difference.’’

A partnership between Z Energy and Counties Manukau Police is leading to a reduction in crimes at East and South Auckland service stations.

Eight Z station managers met with police on September 16 to celebrate the difference the alliance is making.

South Auckland Z service station retailer Wayne Kennerley says in recent times fuel stations have been a target of thefts and burglaries, so there has been a lot of engagement with police.

‘‘In the first three months of this year we had seven robberies. By working with police we have made a concerted effort to decide what we could do about this,’’ he says.

Kennerley says a close connection with the police has resulted in no further crimes.

‘‘During that time our staff were very much on edge, but the police made the effort to do drive-throughs at the service stations to check staff were all good.

‘‘Things like that give a lot of comfort to staff.’’

Some Z stations have also closed at night to avoid having workers on the job alone.

There has also been more communication between the service stations and police to keep them informed about any suspicious activity.

‘‘By working together we believe we’re actually making a difference,’’ Kennerley says.