NZ law weak: victim

A West Auckland dairy manager was robbed at gunpoint last night, the third time in six months.

Three thieves ripped the till, with around $300 inside, from the wall and fled.

In June $2000 worth of cigarettes was stolen in a similar-style raid.

Ben Wu, looking after the store while its owners are overseas, said: "New Zealand law can't protect people. It's too weak. In China, I could try and catch the thieves. Here, I would go to jail for that."

Wu also said that police are "not effective" in catching offenders.

"They call a couple of days later and say they can't catch the guys."

Inspector Matt Sillars, from Auckland police, would not comment on the effectiveness of armed robbery investigations. But he said having security cameras in shops "certainly helps" in tracking offenders.

Sillars said he did not advocate shopkeepers "fighting back" in robberies where firearms were involved.

"That wouldn't be a good idea."

He also said Wu and other shopkeepers were welcome to approach police for advice on making their workplace safer.