City's bank managers meet police

Constable Nathan White and Acting Sergeant Karl Hemmingsen, of Dunedin, speak to a man after he...
Constable Nathan White and Acting Sergeant Karl Hemmingsen, of Dunedin, speak to a man after he was reported acting suspiciously near Kiwibank in Moray Pl. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.
Dunedin police have met city bank managers to discuss the "brazen'' unarmed man who has been involved in a spate of bank robberies during the past five months.

The man is believed to have been involved in eight robberies or robbery attempts in the Dunedin area and police believe he will strike again.

Managers from many Dunedin banks met at the Dunedin Central Police Station yesterday, but officer in charge of the investigation Detective Sergeant Chris Henderson declined to comment on the meeting's content.

Det Sgt Henderson said Dunedin police had received many calls each day from the public about sightings of people matching the robber's description acting suspiciously around banks.

Police acted on a call from Kiwibank and BNZ staff in Moray Pl at 8.30am yesterday when a man wearing a grey hoodie was seen nearby acting "suspiciously''.

New Zealand Post communications adviser Keith FitzPatrick said the man was seen by a Kiwibank staff member on their way to work.

"They took the reasonable precaution of calling the police and delaying the bank's opening until police arrived.

"We take a robust approach to security. Employees are asked to be vigilant at all times in light of recent events. We believe staff took the right approach on this occasion.''

Acting Sergeant Karl Hemmingsen, of Dunedin, said the man was a genuine Kiwibank customer who was waiting for the bank to open. But he said the bank's response was understandable.

"[The man] was causing them alarm. Banks are a bit on edge at the moment. They're a bit jumpy.

"He was spoken to by police and then sent on his way to do his business.''

While none of the public sightings had turned up the man wanted by police, Sgt Hemmingsen asked Dunedin residents to continue reporting possible sightings.

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