Editorial: Night staff vulnerable to robbery

Police have expressed concern that someone could be injured or even killed if these night raids continue. Photo / Thinkstock

There must be times when service station attendants on the night shift feel very vulnerable.

Sitting there alone, not knowing who is going to walk through the door must be quite disconcerting.

When a car pulls up late at night or early in the morning, you must wonder if it is someone simply needing to fill up with petrol or to get milk for the morning or if it is someone with more sinister intent.

There has been a spate of robberies at service stations in Napier and Hastings in the past week.

Sole staff members were threatened and cash and cigarettes or other tobacco products were taken in three of the incidents, and a fourth was averted when would-be robbers were blocked by a closed entrance door.

Police have expressed concern that someone could be injured or even killed if these raids continue.

The only thing that the attendants can do when confronted with robbers is to do exactly as they say, because no one knows what they are capable of.

There appears to have been a breakthrough in the case with police saying yesterday that a 14-year-old boy is due to appear in Napier Youth Court today charged with five aggravated robberies. While nothing has been proved against him and he still has to have his day in court, the young age of the suspect is deeply concerning.

Police say investigations into the robberies are continuing and more arrests may be likely. Anyone with information about the robberies should contact Detective Libby Bradford on 06 8310795 or information can be left anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

This is good, but clearly it would not be a bad idea if the owners of the service stations affected reviewed their security in a bid to make sure their staff are safe at night.