Dairy worker held-up at knifepoint

A woman working alone at a Gisborne dairy says she was terrified when she was held up at knifepoint yesterday.

Police have arrested one man and are looking for two others after the armed robbery which happened at Spot On Dairy on Ormond Rd, just after midday.

The dairy's owner, Balvir Sanger, said the man approached the counter and demanded money while holding a kitchen knife in his hand.

"I was so nervous and scared. I just pressed the panic button."

She cried throughout the incident.

The man left the dairy and then came back in, Mrs Sanger said.

"I'm crying and I picked up the shop phone and tried to phone the police."

The man then fled, taking a packet of biscuits.

She locked the door behind him and saw him getting into a car. He was with two other people.

Mrs Sanger said the incident had left her fearful for "next time," though she returned to work that afternoon with her husband by her side.

"I was all alone - my kids, my husband were not there. I was very scared."

Police praised Mrs Sanger's actions.

"She remained calm, although she was obviously very frightened," Detective Sergeant Steve Smith said.

"She was able to alert the police with an alarm and keep herself safe.

"When he left, she locked up, saw where he went and recorded things she saw... She handled everything properly and looked after herself," he said.

Police found a kitchen knife at the scene.

A 31-year-old man is expected to appear in Gisborne District Court today.

Police will oppose bail.

- NZPA