Key Takeaways
- A dairy store was targeted by a group of alleged robbers, aged between 11 and 15, who entered the store with a weapon.
- The incident lasted around 30 seconds and no cash was taken, thanks to the quick thinking of a staffer who alerted the police.
- The alleged offenders were arrested within minutes of the report being made, and have been referred to Youth Aid Services.
- The incident has left two children who were helping out in the store scared to work, and the owner is calling for greater action to be taken to prevent retail crime.
- The police are committed to holding those who commit these crimes to account, and are urging anyone who witnesses suspicious or unlawful behaviour to call 111 as soon as possible.
Introduction to the Incident
A recent incident at a dairy store has left the owner and staff shaken, after a group of alleged robbers entered the store with a weapon. The incident, which occurred on Monday evening, was quickly brought under control thanks to the swift actions of a staffer who alerted the police. The owner of the store, Patel, was upstairs at the time of the incident and received a call from the staffer, who had rushed into the store and told Patel’s 18-year-old son to run. Patel then contacted the police, who arrived quickly and arrested the alleged robbers nearby.
The Police Response
The police response to the incident was rapid, with Detective Senior Sergeant Megan Goldie stating that the alleged offenders were located and arrested within minutes of the report being made. Goldie praised the quick thinking of the staffer who alerted the police, saying that it was a "great result". The alleged offenders, who were aged between 11 and 15, were referred to Youth Aid Services following the incident. Goldie also urged anyone who witnesses suspicious or unlawful behaviour to call 111 as soon as possible, in order to help prevent and respond to retail crime.
The Impact on the Store and Staff
The incident has had a significant impact on the store and its staff, with two children who were helping out in the dairy during the school holidays left scared to work. Patel, who has owned the store for nearly a decade, said that it was the first armed robbery he had experienced, and that it was "really scary" and "very hard to work behind the counter". Patel had previously installed safety equipment, such as barriers between the counter and the store, smoke machines, and security cameras, in response to other stores being targeted by retail crime. However, the incident has still had a lasting impact on the store and its staff, and Patel is calling for greater action to be taken to prevent retail crime.
The Broader Context of Retail Crime
The incident is part of a broader trend of retail crime, which has been affecting stores across the country. Patel’s store had previously been targeted by ram raids, and he had taken steps to increase security in response. However, the incident highlights the need for continued vigilance and action to be taken to prevent retail crime. The police are committed to holding those who commit these crimes to account, and are working to prevent and respond to retail crime. The incident also highlights the importance of community vigilance, with Goldie urging anyone who witnesses suspicious or unlawful behaviour to call 111 as soon as possible.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, the incident at the dairy store highlights the need for continued action to be taken to prevent retail crime. The quick thinking of the staffer and the rapid response of the police prevented the incident from escalating, but it has still had a lasting impact on the store and its staff. The police are committed to holding those who commit these crimes to account, and are urging anyone who witnesses suspicious or unlawful behaviour to call 111 as soon as possible. As the store and its staff look to move forward, it is clear that continued vigilance and action will be needed to prevent retail crime and keep communities safe.