Police are launching a national campaign on Friday aimed at stopping the epidemic of dairy robberies, by going after people who receive or sell stolen property.
"There's nothing good about stolen goods" is the name of the new battle with burglars.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush says the month-long campaign is part of the police response to a rise in the number of violent robberies occurring in some communities across New Zealand, particularly in South Auckland.
There'll be more officers walking the streets, supporting small business owners and communities, he says.
In one major incident in May, two offenders entered a Mangere dairy and bashed a shopkeeper on the back of the head. They then held a knife to his throat and took off with cigarettes.
Between February and May in Auckland at least 68 people were arrested for aggravated robberies.
"The campaign we're announcing today provides us with another tool to tackle aggravated robberies. By targeting those who profit from these crimes by trading in stolen shop and dairy goods such as cigarettes and alcohol, we're aiming to make a serious dent in the opportunity for these crimes to be committed," Cmnr Bush says.
Rewards will be offered for information provided through its Crimestoppers service leading to successful prosecutions - but only until the end of June.
Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 or on its website.
Newshub.
