Govt working to counter ram raiders

WELLINGTON: Government solutions to counter ram raids, including funding for items such as bollards, are expected to go to the Cabinet for approval on Monday.

Business owners, particularly in Auckland, have been reporting 15 to 20 ram raids each week, which they say is a marked increase on previous years, prompting calls for the installation of countermeasures such as bollards.

Minister of Police Poto Williams confirmed yesterday a paper was being finalised today for final signoff by the Cabinet on Monday and an announcement to come shortly after that.

‘‘We’re looking at a process to help retailers — small retailers — feel more secure in the delivery of their mahi, so it’ll be a range of measures.

‘‘There won’t be one solution but it will be supporting them to be safe in their premises.’’

It would include investment as well as coordination, she said.

‘‘There’s a range of measures . . . one of the things we point to often is bollards, but in some cases under some local authorities they’re not going to go in place, they’re not appropriate, so we’re looking at other things that might support them as well.’’

Community leaders had called for funding for services to help educate and support young people, after the Government announced increased funding for police last weekend.

The solutions would focus on where the raids had been occurring — in Auckland and Waikato — and targeted to people who were unable to tackle the problem without support, Ms Williams said. — RNZ