Dairies had become dangerous places, he said.
But Mr Singh could not afford to leave, and he thought the higher cost of living had spurred many into criminal behaviour.
"Everyone has a hard time. Everyone has trouble when things are more expensive."
Mr Singh said aggravated robbery was a community problem.
"If someone comes into the shop like that, everyone is in trouble. It's not just one guy if something happens, that's not good for their whole family."
In recent years, attacks on dairies have increased.
The latest monthly police figures show there were six robberies in the Western Bay of Plenty in February.
Just over a week ago, a masked woman wielding a long knife attempted to rob a store assistant at Arataki Superette. Police were still looking for the offender, who was scared off by a panic alarm.
It was the third aggravated robbery at the store in as many years.
Arataki Superette owner Sue Jung said owning a dairy had become so dangerous, she did not want to open her shop some days.
"When I first started the dairy I hadn't had that trouble before. It has gotten worse. It's very dangerous," she said.
In 2009, Ms Jung was robbed by a 16-year-old wielding a knife. Last year, a masked man with a gun robbed her.
Ms Jung said her lease expired this year but she doubted anyone would buy the store from her.
"If I had a long lease it would be easier but this time, I don't think anybody wants it and after a dairy, it's hard to find a fulltime job," she said.
"Sometimes I don't want to open the shop after the trouble but I have no [other job to go to]. I'm really stuck."
From behind the lolly-laden counter at Matua Dairy, owner Sawraj Singh said he had not experienced any trouble since he took over about two months ago.
"But it doesn't feel secure, we don't feel secure," he said.
"Sometimes at night time you have to be careful. After six or seven o'clock, it's dark and you are on your own."
Sawraj Singh said a panic alarm brought him comfort, especially after reading about the role an alarm played at Arataki Superette.
Across town at Gate Pa Superette, owner Vishwa Mudaliar had the latest security camera footage. He could view it from his mobile phone at any time.
Framed by discount phone cards and cigarette papers, Mr Mudaliar said only one person had tried to rob him in his 23 years at the store.
"Two years ago, he said 'give me some money'. He pulled at his zipper, I thought he was getting his eftpos card but he pulled a knife."
The man fled with money but was caught that night.
Mr Mudaliar said he knew most of his customers but young people and methamphetamine were a big problem. But he would not be scared off, he said.
"If you think it's dangerous, everything's dangerous. Driving a taxi is dangerous but you can't give in too easy," Mr Mudaliar said. "We can't stop them. Nobody can stop them. Someone else will just take their place."
Mr Mudaliar said he felt a heavier police presence would make an impact on safety.
Darryl Mackay who runs The Corner Store at 15th Ave and Fraser St said he and his wife were on alert after reading about recent attacks.
"[A recent offender] was quoted in the paper as being desperate and still out there so we are more aware and extra cautious," Mr Mackay said.
"But for every bad person we get, we get 200-300 good people."
Rene Mangnus, who owns The Corner Store building, said dairy attacks were "despicable".
"Dairies provide a real necessary community service," Mr Mangnus said.
Another Tauranga dairy owner said he and his family regularly suffered physical and verbal abuse at their two city dairies. It was often racially motivated.
One teenage customer had assaulted him, his father, his brother and a friend.
Originally from India, the man, who asked for anonymity to protect his family, had lived in Tauranga for 17 years and bought his first dairy four years ago.
"There are lots of problems for Indian people. They think we don't know anything," he said.
"People working in dairies are not safe."
He blamed a legal system that was "too soft".
"In India, if someone enters your property you have a right to self defence."
