A Thames florist already battling an increase in shoplifting says rising drug use is fuelling a wave of retail crime. Her store is the latest victim. KELLEY TANTAU reports
A florist in Thames “beefed up” security to respond to more brazen and more frequent thefts, but two offenders still at large weren’t deterred when they wantonly cut, smashed, and stole inside the Pollen Street store.
Nicole Phillips, who owns Flowers on Pollen, was the victim of a break-in between 1am-2am on July 23.
Two people were caught on CCTV cameras changing their clothes in Service Lane 5 before making their way to the front of the store. At 1.13am, one kept watch while the other jimmied open the doors and slashed the business’ recently-installed electronic security blind with a knife.
In the 30 minutes the pair were inside, they removed two security cameras, and stole electronics, a sound system, jewellery, cameras, chocolate and paperwork.
They toppled shelves adorned with ceramic pots, plants, homeware, and locally-made gifts. They damaged the shop’s counter and register.
Costs were still being calculated but Nicole believed the crime had cost her upwards of $7500.
“We have seen a significant increase in shoplifting lately – usually just small items, skin care and confectionary mainly, but we had an incident a few months back where someone stole eight bunches of flowers and some product in one go, so incidents of theft are more brazen as well as frequent, and we beefed up security as a response,” Nicole told The Profile.
She believed retail crime was getting worse in Thames, and said there were many factors at play, which was why the issue was getting “hospital passed” between organisations and “accountability holders”.
“I think it’s a community-wide problem; a mental health, addiction, housing, economic, crime – and consequences – problem.”
She also believed drug use in the town was fuelling a lot of the crime.
“We have seen so much antisocial and criminal behaviour on the main street. We have also had people urinate and defecate at our front door. There is just a real decline in standards in our town’s main street,” she said. “I know the community board, council, business association and police are all working on initiatives to try and make our streets safer, and I hope we can get a good outcome for our community.”
Thames Business Association chief executive Sue Lewis-O’Halloran said she was “heartsick” about the latest break-in at Flowers on Pollen.
She echoed Nicole’s sentiments and said there were two key issues at play, “just as they are in small towns and big cities throughout New Zealand: mental illness, and addictions, particularly meth”.
“There is no question that having a stronger, 24/7 police presence would probably help as we know our police are under-resourced. So I think a multi-agency, community-focused approach could be an effective way to deal with this,” Sue said.
“There are no easy solutions, [but] Flowers on Pollen is such an asset to Thames, as is Nicole, and she has worked so hard to create a beautiful space.”
Waikato East Prevention Manager, Acting Senior Sergeant Lara Beisly, told The Profile that at around 4:50am on July 23, Police received a report of a burglary at a commercial premises on Pollen Street.
The burglary was believed to have occurred earlier that morning, at around 1:40am.
“Police have visited the premises and surrounding businesses and are working to try and identify the offenders.
“CCTV footage has been located that shows a vehicle of interest outside the premises at the time.”
She said Police currently had a community constable, as well as frontline officers, assigned to carry out regular beat patrols in the Thames CBD area. In the past week they have been visiting and speaking with local shopkeepers to discuss crime prevention measures.
“This type of crime is incredibly frustrating and can have a significant impact on innocent people’s lives,” she said.
“We encourage all property owners to look at what they can do to deter criminals. Simple measures can have a big effect as many offenders are looking for easy targets. These measures include installing CCTV, securing windows, and reviewing locking mechanisms on buildings to ensure they can’t be easily broken.”
Police later said that Thames Police located the vehicle of interest from the burglary and executed a search warrant at the registered owner’s address. No stolen property was located but other items of interest were located and seized. The search led Police to further avenues of enquiry that were now being following in an effort to identify the offenders.
Enquiries are ongoing and if any member of the public has information that may assist Police in identifying the offenders please call 105 and quote the reference number: 250723/2526.
BY KELLEY TANTAU
