A spate of aggravated robberies across the Central District has prompted store owners to take their concerns to police.
A meeting was held on Saturday night at the Central District Police Headquarters with more than 50 attendees.
This included dairy owners, local council and iwi members, police, the Central Districts Indian Association and Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-Galloway.
Dairy owners, including Rangiora Ave Mini Mart owner Jayesh Patel, expressed concern that too many perpetrators were being allowed to get away with their crimes.
Mr Patel's shop was the subject of an aggravated robbery on May 1, when six people entered his store.
One was carrying an imitation pistol while another held a bat.
The group left with cash and cigarettes, after also assaulting the shopkeeper. This was the store's second violent robbery in six months.
Central District Commander superintendent Sue Schwalger said the meeting was a chance for police to provide reassurances to worried store owners.
"Although, thankfully, in Manawatu aggravated robberies are less common than in larger urban centres, they're no less serious and traumatic for anyone who is a victim of this type of crime. The penalty for an aggravated robbery is severe and if prosecuted, the offender can face serious jail time."
She said there were several things store owners could do to keep themselves safe such as removing posters from theirshop windows to make it more visible, getting to know their neighbours and purchasing CCTV equipment.
She also said having more than one person working at a time would help deter offenders.
"Police are continuing their investigation into the robbery at Rangiora Mini Mart and are speaking with several people in relation to it. No arrests have been made at this time however, police continue to work to bring offenders to account."
Another concern raised at the meeting was the young age of some of the offenders.
Superintendent Schwalger said if these crimes were committed by youth, they too could face severe penalties.
"Young offenders can be dealt with by Youth Aid which provides alternative and restorative actions to arresting and charging. The aim of Youth Aid is to involve the whole whanau in the process and outcome. The outcome from Youth Aid will depend on the severity of the crime and the history of the young person.
"Police have specialist Youth Aid officers who work with young offenders and their whanau. Police also have constabulary staff who work closely with schools to provide crime prevention advice and education to young people.
"For serious crimes and repeat offenders, they can be charged and go through the Youth Court process."
RECENT ROBBERIES:
March 21: Group of youths and adults rob Liquorland on College Street. One shot fired.
March 23: Two men armed with a pistol enter Caltex Dannevirke, demanding cash and cigarettes.
March 25: Man armed with a crowbar robs Dannevirke Four Square.
April 19: A man robs Kelvin Grove Mini Mart, armed with replica pistol.
May 1: Rangiora Mini Mart robbed by a group armed with a bat and imitation pistol.
May 8: A man enters Saigon Restaurant in Dannevirke armed with knife, demands cash from manager.