And dairy owners Shamina and Shehan Saparamadu are facing the onslaught on a daily basis.
The latest police data shows for the year ending March 1, reported retail theft in the Selwyn District increased 48 per cent, from 95 instances to 141.
There was a 63 per cent increase in reported retail theft across Canterbury over the same period, from 5643 to 9139.
In Selwyn, there was also a 56 per cent increase in assaults, with 496 compared to 292.
The Saparamadus’ own the Lincoln Dairy on Robert St and often catch shoplifters – many of whom are from local schools.
Shamina said 14 youths had been trespassed in the last “couple of months”.
Shamina said a trespassed shoplifter told her: “I’m going to come back and f***ing ram-raid your shop”.
The Saparamadus said calls to police often go unanswered and they have had little response from Lincoln High School.
Said Shehan: “The Lincoln High School principal (Kathy Paterson) suggested we stop all students from coming into the store, but I can’t do that as what will happen to all my business.
“The schools have said it is not their responsibility.”
Paterson did not respond to calls from the Selwyn Times.
Shamina said they have also caught pupils from Lincoln Primary School stealing.
The Saparamadus told principal Chris Nord about the shoplifting and the school had assisted them where possible.
Said Nord: “Where we have been made aware of it, we have worked with the dairy to support them.
“We worked with them to help identify who the students might have been.”
Nord said after the pupils have been identified, they are not punished by the school. The school leaves any disciplinary action to police.
“It concerns us that there are students out there in our uniforms shoplifting . . . what they do outside of school is out of our control.”
“We have strong values as far as our school vision and values go. Within that sits respect and around that is the conversations of what does that looks like.”
The police data shows crime is up 42 per cent across the district. From February 2022 to March this year, there were 657 more crimes committed than in the previous 12 months.
The Saparamadus say it’s time people realised there is a crime problem in the district and started talking about it, rather than just ignoring it.
“We have to talk about – if we don’t who’s going to stop them,” Shehan said.
They have signs throughout the store warning people if they are caught stealing, they will be banned.
Since opening two years ago, the dairy has been ram-raided three times. After the most recent incident in August, the Government helped pay for extra security measures, including fog cannons and bollards.
On May 30, a group tried to break into the store but could not get through the security doors and bars. They only managed to smash the glass.
“It is just a band-aid and doesn’t solve the problem. The money should be spent on rehabilitation.”
The Saparamadus said they really enjoy living in the community, and the people stealing only make up a very small percentage of those who visit the store.
“We try to support our community as much as we can,” Shehan said.
They also want to see more police patrolling the area. “We hardly see the local police. If they did patrol – an hourly patrol or something overnight – that would be good.”
Since May 1, one officer is based at the Lincoln police station regularly, down from three following the introduction of the new 24-hour service model based out of the Rolleston station.
Selwyn Senior Sergeant Rachel Walker did not respond to questions relating to the increase in crime and police resourcing.
More police patrols needed
A residents’ association wants more police patrols in the district following the increase in crime.
Police data shows the crime rate rose by 42 per cent between February 28 last year and March 1 compared to the previous 12 months, with 657 more crimes committed over the last 12 months.
There was a 56 per cent increase in assaults, a 48 per cent increase in retail theft, a 59 per cent increase in vehicle break-ins, a 40 per cent increase in theft (excluding vehicles), and a 13 per cent rise in the number of burglaries.
“It is definitely a concern to us, we should be the safest district in the country,” he said.
“We have definitely seen the crime increasing . . . the residents are talking about it and we are seeing more reports of it on social media.”
Pratap said he would like to see more police patrolling the streets, either on foot or in vehicles.
“More walking patrols and patrol cars out and about would help.
“I honestly have not seen an increase in patrol cars in the last couple of years.”
The Rolleston Community Patrol was the second volunteer-run crime prevention group to be formed in the district, after the Selwyn Community Patrol.
Rolleston Community Patrol leader Karen Evans said she has noticed the increase in crime around the district.
“Like most Rolleston residents, we’ve noticed an increase in crime of all sorts, but especially car burglaries and vandalism,” Evans said.
Selwyn police moved to a 24-hour service model last month, which is expected to continue for a six-month trial period, and promised to put more police on the streets.
Said Pratap: “We were really happy to see Rolleston go to 24 hours. Because we are a population of 28,000 people so it only makes sense.”
While many were happy to see extra police resourcing in the district, concerns were raised that some stations were short-staffed. After the changes were implemented, the Lincoln station went from having three officers to one, while Leeston went from three officers to two.
Mayor Sam Broughton did not answer specific questions about the increase in crime or whether he was aware of it.
He said public safety and security are a priority for the district council.
“Our police do an incredible job and in response to our growth, they recently introduced a 24/7 public safety team supporting Selwyn communities,” Broughton said.
“We continue to work closely with the police and ongoing collaboration is crucial in maintaining a safe and enjoyable community in Selwyn.”
Crime rate data
From February 28, 2022, to March 31, the Selwyn District had:
- A 56 per cent increase in assaults, with 292 compared to 456 in the previous year.
- A 59 per cent increase in vehicle thefts and break-ins, with 156 compared to 248.
- A 48 per cent increase in retail theft, with 95 compared to 141.
- A 40 per cent increase in theft (excluding vehicles), with 274 compared to 385.
- A 13 per cent increase in unlawful entry with intent/burglary, break and enter, with 484 compared to 549.
Percentages from the police victimisation report on policedata.nz
