There is nothing good about stolen goods. That is the name of a new month-long campaign launched by New Zealand Police and Crimestoppers to target those responsible for receiving and dealing in stolen property from aggravated robberies.
People who provide information that leads to a successful prosecution will be rewarded says Police Commissioner Mike Bush.
The campaign is part of the police response to a rise in the number of violent robberies occurring in some communities across New Zealand including four in Whanganui since November.
"New Zealand Police are deeply concerned about the rise in this violent crime - due to its significant impact on small business owners and their workers and communities," says Mr Bush.
"Additional Police resources have been directed to focus on the increase in aggravated robberies that we have seen recently, with new taskforces dedicated to catching offenders, additional staff on patrol and supporting retailers to undertake preventive activities."
"The campaign 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."
Springvale Dairy in Fitzherbert Ave is the latest Whanganui establishment to be hit and worker Mandeep Singh was assaulted during the robbery last Sunday night.
"I can be killed in 10 minutes," he told the Chronicle.
Whanganui Police recovered a stolen car used in the robbery and they are still investigating the three previous armed robberies that occured at a bottle store, a petrol station and a McDonalds restaurant.
There will be a series of targeted ads on social media and on police national and district Facebook pages encouraging people to call Crimestoppers if they have any information on stolen goods from aggravated robberies.
"Crimestoppers is an avenue that police use to enable members of the community to provide information on crimes anonymously, and we encourage anyone who has information which could help us identify offenders to use that option if they are not comfortable contacting their local police or providing their details to us," says Mr Bush.
"Police will be offering a reward for any information provided to Crimestoppers as part of this stolen goods campaign that leads to a successful prosecution.
"It's important to note however that to be eligible for a reward you will need to provide your details to Crimestoppers when you call."
The Crimestoppers campaign and associated reward offer will initially run until the end of June. Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.
More information on the service they provide is available on the Crimestoppers website.