Small business owners slam Government's $6 million crime support package, say it's 'too little too late'

Five hundred crime-hit small businesses will have fog cannons, concrete bollards, and other security measures installed to help protect themselves. 

But some business owners say the $6 million Government package doesn't cut to the root of the offending, and while it might slow down perpetrators, it won't stop them. 

Whether it's from every CCTV angle at night as it happens, or the next morning when the damage is brought to light, we've all seen it in the news reports. 

But it's people like Grey Lynn dairy owner Bhumika Patel who bear the consequences.

"Glassdoor damage, that one is around $3000, and then cigarette display unit, that cost $4500."

Pukekohe dairy owner Ravinder Singh knows the costs of damage all too well.

"The first time we got robbed - $10,000, and the second time when they robbed us, they robbed $12,000 of smokes."

On Thursday in response, the Minister for Police announced a $6 million support package to help small businesses protect themselves from crime.

Police will select around 500 stores, mostly in Auckland, and help them install fog cannons, bollards, and cameras. 

For Police Minister Poto Williams, ram-raids are of particular concern.

"We know that there have been about 40 a month over the last few months, so it's definitely something that's spiking."

As Williams stepped away, small business advocate Sunny Kaushal seized the moment and the microphone. 

"This is too little, too late. Why I'm saying this is too little too late, $6 million is not enough."

Singh was beside him. After the most recent robbery at his dairy, he's installed a steel gate in front of his counter and a new remote-operated automatic sliding door - at his own expense.

"Moreover it's on a physically and mentally thing, the after effect which is coming in," Singh said.

He's worried Thursday's announcement doesn't cut to the root of why the offending is happening. 

"We can slow them down but we can't stop them."

And until it's stopped, owners are forced to build a fortress around their family business.