Dairies to get kitted with hi-tech security gear

‘‘We know that these business owners are feeling vulnerable and this is not acceptable.’’

Dairies and superettes could be kitted out with ultra-sonic sirens, fog cannons and DNA spray as part of a police crackdown on violent robberies.

Eric Tibbott of New Zealand Police said two ‘‘concept stores’’ in South Auckland already had the three security measures installed. The high-tech equipment came courtesy of a $1.8 million police fund for protecting vulnerable retail outlets, announced earlier this year. A total of 1237 aggravated robberies were recorded at dairies and petrol stations from June 2016 to May 2017 — up 87 per cent from the previous 12 months. Tibbott, the National Prevention Centre Manager Superintendent, said ‘‘shocking footage of violence’’ from dairies and superettes had helped prompt the new measures.

‘‘We know that these business owners are feeling vulnerable and this is not acceptable. Fog cannons fill a store with a thick cloud, making it impossible to see: ‘‘If you can’t see a product or person, you can’t steal that product or attack that person,’’ said Tibbott.

He said the sirens emitted ‘‘extremely loud and extremely debilitating’’ noise at 124 decibels. Tibbott said dairy owners who were unsure about the security measures should get in touch with their local police station.