The Government is scrambling to take a tougher line on crime in the face of extraordinary pressure.
Dairy owners yesterday shut up shop to commemorate the slain shopkeeper Janak Patel and to call for tougher penalties for offenders.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern denies it has taken a tragedy for her to act - and insists she has always been firm and fact-driven.
These are the measures introduced:
- Small retailers are being offered a 4-thousand dollar payment to help cover the cost of having a fog cannon installed
- A $4 million fund will also be set up to support councils in Auckland, Hamilton and Bay of Plenty to roll out crime prevention measures on a dollar-for-dollar basis
- The existing $6 million ram-raid fund will also be expanded to cover stores that have experienced aggravated robbery in the past year
- Police are announcing more patrols in shopping precincts with increased reports of crime and the police also be taking a strong stance on repeat and adult offenders
Sandringham Business Association chairperson Jithin Chittibomma, New Zealand Indian Central Association president Narendra Bhana, and Wellington Indian Association president President Dipak Bhana spoke to Guyon Espiner.
