Store raided

The spate of dairy break-ins in the Nelson region continued with an attempted burglary of Hope Store and Takeaways on Saturday night. A police spokeswoman confirmed a break-in at the Main Rd Hope shop was reported shortly after 11.30pm. A store employee said access to the premises had been gained through a back door which was damaged in the attempt. While he said nothing of note was taken in the burglary, it was the third time the store had been broken into. A scene examination was completed yesterday. The shop remained open throughout the rest of the weekend. Nelson City councillors and police officers will meet with local dairy owners this week to reassure them they are not alone. Following a spate of dairy robberies across the region, Deputy Mayor Paul Matheson said the council was putting its hand up to offer its help. Police have arrested and charged three people related to the aggravated robbery of the Victory Discounter Dairy, which happened shortly before 9pm on July 16. Police have also made a number of arrests in other recent dairy robberies in Nelson including the Hira Store.