‘Sleepless nights’: Auckland fashion store staff traumatised after armed robbery

Staff of an ethnic fashion store in Auckland have been left traumatised by a violent armed robbery targeting jewellery in broad daylight on Tuesday.

A group of nine masked offenders carrying bricks and hammers attacked Roopdarshan in Mt Roskill, which is well known for its fashion and jewellery wares.

The store was busy with customers shopping ahead of the South Asian festival of Diwali at the time of the robbery.

"I don't think there is any joy left for Diwali," said Mahesh Kumar, director of Roopdarshan.

"There were nine people altogether," Kumar said. "Four went for the cashier and took two tills, while the rest attacked the jewellery section."

Kumar said the robbers failed to smash the glass counters, and staff activated a fog cannon that forced the offenders to flee.

He said the incident had left his team shaken and fearful.

"There is so much fear and anxiety that we can't even run our day-to-day business," he said.

"After this, it's sleepless nights for us," he said.

He said incidents such as this put enormous pressure on small business owners.

"I think the government needs to take very strict action if they want to protect this country and its reputation," Kumar said. "We came here for a safe and peaceful life but now we're living in fear."

Kumar moved to New Zealand from Fiji in 1998 and is originally from Gujarat, India.

He opened his first store in Mt Roskill after noticing a growing Indian community and increasing demand for traditional clothing and jewellery.

Roopdarshan currently has four showrooms nationwide and one in Melbourne, Australia.

Mt Roskill MP Carlos Cheung said the attack was "completely unacceptable".

"This is the reason why our government is tough on crime, and we need to make sure that these incidents are not happening," Chueng said.

He said more police patrols were needed to protect small businesses.

"With this incident, we know there's room to keep improving to make sure it never happens again," he said.

Jaspreet Kandhari, general secretary of the New Zealand Indian Business Association, had hoped the situation would improve following the government's recent crime announcements.

"This is very sad," he said. "This has been happening for so many years now."

In February, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith unveiled proposals to give store owners the power to detain shoplifters after a ministerial advisory group proposal.

Asian community leaders were divided on whether such proposed reform would benefit small business owners battling an increase in retail crime.

In July, further retail crime announcements were unveiled, including instant fines for shoplifters.

The advisory group has also made recommendations on trespass law reform and is consulting industry players on allowing shopkeepers to defend themselves with pepper spray.

"It looks like the announcements have not made an impact, and we need to really push hard for the changes to happen as soon as possible," Kandhari said.

He also called for more police patrols on the streets, especially during the festive season.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell told RNZ the government had a strong law and order agenda.

"Lifting the presence of police officers in our communities is one of this government's law and order priorities," Mitchell said.

"Senseless violent acts are completely unacceptable, and my message is clear: This government takes these matters seriously and will continue to take actions."

Mitchell said police now had retail crime units or operations running across most police districts as well as patrols in the main city centres.

"Police have appointed a new retail coordinator who will support districts with principles and guidance for initiatives to address retail crime and strengthen trust and confidence with the retail sector," he said.

Mitchell said there was still much work to be done to reduce retail crime, and he encouraged retailers to look at technology such as facial recognition as an effective way to combat retail crime.

Police told RNZ that investigations were ongoing after the aggravated robbery.

"At about 3.40pm, a group of offenders entered the business on White Swan Road, reportedly carrying weapons," said detective senior sergeant Anthony Darvill, area investigations manager for Auckland City West.

"A number of items were taken before the offenders left in a vehicle, which was later recovered by police and will undergo a forensic examination," Darvill said.