Spate of Hawke's Bay robberies continues

The Havelock North Mobil service station was closed while police investigated. Photo / Duncan Brown

Havelock North Mobil petrol station is the latest target in a string of robberies in Hawke's Bay this year.

Hawke's Bay Today understands the petrol station was robbed at about midnight.

It's understood the station was closed while police investigated.

The incident was thought to be robbery number 42 for the year in Hawke's Bay.

Last week, Police Minister Stuart Nash said the rash of hold-ups reflected problems with society, particularly among youths.

He said the Government would place 1800 new police officers around the country in the next three years, which would help the government and community groups identify why young people were committing crime.

"All the way along the system at every step, we've got to put processes in place which allow us to engage in a positive way and fill their heads with information from an early age, compared to where they're ending up at the moment, which is not a good place," he said.

"It's a life that won't end well and it's up to us to communicate these other options for kids with hope and aspiration.

"We don't want them to be written off as failures, not engaging in the school system and then being picked up by the Hawke's Bay Regional Corrections facility."