Staff at an Auckland shopping centre have been left shocked after an overnight ram raid caused about $20,000 worth of damage.
Māngere Town Centre manager Dave Fearon told Newshub he's seen this kind of crime on the news but it's the first time his mall had been hit with a ram raid.
"It was shocking to see what they did."
Fearon was notified of the incident, in which two cars were used to try break into the Red Rat, early on Monday morning.
"Police got here fast," he said.
Police were called to reports of a burglary at Māngere Town Centre about 1:50am.
CCTV video shows a vehicle slam into the shopfront and a second car, with severe damage to the front, pull in behind.
"The offenders have left in a different vehicle, which was later located abandoned in Forbury Place," police said.
"The vehicle left at the scene and the other vehicle used have since been towed and will undergo a forensic examination.
"At this stage it appears no entry was gained, however extensive damage was caused."
While the offenders were unsuccessful at getting into the shops, damage to the centre's doors is expected to cost about $20,000.
Fearon said they're now looking at "beefing up" security at the mall, including new lights and bollards.
However, he said he didn't want the centre to appear like a "prison" so any additional security would be done in a way that it was still "warm and inviting" for visitors.
When asked if retailers experiencing this kind of ongoing crime needed better Government support, Fearon said: "The easy answer is yes."
He went on to say that with insurance prices going up, he'd like to see a subsidy to help pay for it.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police on 105, quoting job number P058057303 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
