Michael Hill International CEO Daniel Bracken has reiterated his confidence in store security measures after criminals targeted the retailers multiple times over the weekend.
Dramatic footage of a smash-and-grab at Mt Maunganui’s Bayfair Shopping Centre in New Zealand on Saturday has emerged.
The criminals damaged the store with hammers and were seemingly unbothered by anti-theft smoke cannons as they committed a daring daylight robbery. In the footage, a security guard watches the robbery unfold without intervening.
This incident reportedly marked the third time in 10 months that thieves have targeted this Michael Hill Store.
The following day, another alleged failed attempt to rob a Michael Hill store occurred at the Silverdale Mall, north of Auckland.
According to media reports, a 20-year-old attempted to breach an armoured display with a hammer before fleeing the store when the fog cannon was activated. He was later arrested.
Bracken said that Michael Hill’s security measures are under constant review.
“We have continued to review our security measures to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect our team and customers,” he told The NZ Herald.
“This anti-bandit armoured glass can withstand repeated heavy blows, making it near-impossible to penetrate.
“It’s incredibly disturbing to see these incidents continue, and as such, the implementation of assault glass across all stores remains a priority.”
First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson praised Michael Hill for its ‘proactive’ security measures.
“They put guards in many sites, and their staff have been well-trained; I guess this is really just a situation that proves that no matter what you do, the intent of some of these people is such that it’s going to be difficult to stop them,” he told RNZ.
“It was disappointing retailers were still being targeted by thieves despite putting significant security measures in place. It had seemed that some of the worst aspects of retail crime were abating, with the coalition government giving police more powers to deal with offenders.”
Based in Brisbane, Michael Hill International oversees 302 stores in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
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