The news comes a day after a pistol-carrying woman attempted an armed robbery at the Halfway Bush Convenience Store, in Dunedin.
The fund - which would provide financing to shop owners for measures such as fog cannons, audible alarms, DNA sprays and CCTV cameras - was announced in this year’s budget.
"Police have identified a number of businesses who may be eligible for co-funded prevention measures at their retail premises and will be in touch with these business in the coming weeks," national prevention manager Superintendent Eric Tibbott said yesterday.
"We will not be releasing the criteria or details about the eligible businesses for security reasons.
"Each eligible business will be visited by police who will talk to them about ways they can increase their safety if their business is targeted for an aggravated robbery."
The businesses were located throughout the country, a police spokeswoman said.
Supt Tibbott said he could not speculate on the total cost to fit a business with the preventive measures.
"Because the recommended technology solution is personalised, the cost will vary between different premises," he said.
"However, the majority of businesses will be required to pay a certain amount towards the cost.
"In some cases, police may consider funding a higher percentage.
"Police are taking aggravated robberies very seriously and have a three-pronged approach, focusing on catching offenders preventing the crimes happening in the first place, and to understand the drivers of the rise in this crime type."
Dunedin police have released a CCTV image of the woman who entered the Halfway Bush shop.
Sergeant Phill Hamlin, the head of Dunedin’s tactical crime unit, said police wanted to hear from anyone who saw the woman or any suspicious vehicle near the shop, at the intersection of Taieri Rd and Ashmore St, about 7.30am on Monday.
"The offender is described as a 20 to 30-year-old female with an olive complexion, and of a short, solid build, around 155cm.
"They wore a red scarf or similar covering part of their face, tracksuit pants and black/white gym shoes," he said.
• Dunedin police (03) 471-4800, Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
