The jewellery trade in New Zealand is grappling with a surge in ram raids, resulting in significant financial and emotional toll on business owners.
A recent incident in Christchurch brought to light the contrasting outcomes of security measures in place, showcasing the effectiveness of fog cannons in deterring such criminal activities.
Security Measures in Play
Westende Jewellers, located on Colombo St in Sydenham, narrowly escaped a potentially devastating burglary due to its fog cannon security system.
Despite the offenders’ relentless attempts to gain entry by smashing the store’s entrance with a car and later with a hammer, the fog cannons activated, filling the premises with dense fog which deterred the criminals, compelling them to flee the scene empty-handed.
Contrasting Outcomes
While Westende Jewellers withstood the assault, the assailants redirected their efforts towards a neighboring vape store, Cosmic – Vape Shop where they stole cash and other products before fleeing the scene.
Moreover, a Harvey Norman store in Northwood also fell victim to a similar ram raid around the same time, further amplifying the pressing issue of such criminal acts within the Christchurch business community.
The Growing Menace
These incidents are part of a broader pattern of ram raids plaguing Christchurch, characterised by business owners as an “epidemic”. The recurring attacks are causing a ripple of fear and reconsideration among business owners regarding the security of their establishments.
The contrasting outcomes of the recent ram raids underscore the importance of effective security measures. As the threat looms larger, investing in proven security systems like fog cannons could be a prudent choice for jewellers and other high-value retailers in New Zealand. The community and law enforcement must also collaborate to address and curb this escalating issue.
Law Enforcement and Community Response
Police are actively investigating the linked incidents and urging anyone with information to come forward. The continuous attacks have left business owners and the wider community on edge, demanding more robust security solutions and community vigilance to combat this growing menace.
Anyone with information on any of the incidents is asked to contact police on 105 and quote event number P054489750.
