Police urge shopkeepers to review security

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 27, 3 December 1984, Page 3

Police urge shopkeepers to review security

Ohakune police are urging local business owners to review their security urgently and to contact the police for any advice they require. This advice results from a series of robberies which occurred on the evening of Sunday 25 November at the recently-opened Cedar Mall shopping centre in Ohakune. Friar Tucks had $50 worth of food taken while Ohakune Shoes lost about $1,000 worth of dress and running shoes. The hardest hit was Little's Menswear which lost $3,500-$4,000 of stock. This included jeans, work socks and work-related clothing as well as two children's track suits. J.J's Crafts and Ragtime were also entered but the owners of both shops could find nothing missing from their stock. The burglaries were not discovered until Monday morning at which time the police began their investigations. At 5am on Monday 26 November, an attempt was made to break into the Ohakune Club but this was

prevented by the setting off of the alarm system. The would-be intruders fled the scene immediately. Police spokesman, Brian Wilson, said that these break-ins ihdicate a disturbing trend as evidenced by the recent spate of robberies from holiday homes around the area.

He is convinced that many businesses are lacking in adequate security and that an urgent review is imperative. If there is sufficient interest the local police would ask that a Crime Prevention Officer visit the area to discuss security with those concerned.