Armed liquor store robbers still at large

File photo / APN

Police were today continuing to hunt for armed robbers who shot a Hamilton liquor store owner as small shopkeepers called to be allowed to use weapons defend themselves against violent attacks.

A 58-year-old man was shot in the right shoulder and suffered a fractured skull after being hit over the head with a hammer in the raid on his Greenwood St shop on Saturday night.

He was taken to Waikato Hospital where he remained in a serious but stable condition this morning.

The offenders fled with alcohol in a waiting car.

Police said that the victim's nephew was in the store at the time of the attack and though assaulted was not injured was badly shaken by what happened.

Officers are looking into a possible link with a robbery in Hamilton's Grey Street on Thursday night, during which a shotgun was also fired but no-one was injured.

Neil Patel from the Association of Dairy, Grocery and Small Businesses said that police did not have the resources to offer protection.

Shopkeepers should be allowed to defend themselves with weapons such as hockey stick or even licenced firearms in some circumstances, he told Radio New Zealand.

But Barry Halberg for the Retailers Association advised against such a move.

If someone threatened a shopkeeper with a gun it was better to give him what he wanted and call police afterwards, he said.

Police are calling for public help in finding the robbers.

"A number of people at the addresses have been spoken to today but to date no arrests have been made and we are still seeking information from the public on who may have been responsible for this cowardly attack," spokesman said.

- NZPA