Another Michael Hill jewellery shop has been targeted by thieves in a smash and grab on Tuesday morning as the city continues to deal with a crime wave.
Police said in a statement they responded to a burglary at Michael Hill on Queen St, with officers called to the store in the Auckland CBD at 2:50am.
Police said thieves smashed a window to gain entry to the store while footage from the scene also showed display cases shattered.
"Inside the store, they were forced to flee after the store's fog cannon activated," a police spokesperson said.
"Two vehicles were observed fleeing the scene and these were later located abandoned in the nearby area."
Police said they're in the early stages of investigating what was stolen from the store.
Police urged New Zealanders to make sure their vehicles are secure as stolen cars are continuing to be used in ram raids.
"Police continue to advise the public to ensure their vehicles are secure when parked, including using a steering lock if their vehicle isn't fitted with a factory immobiliser," the spokesperson said.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact Police via our 105 phone service or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105, using 'Update My Report'. Please reference file number 220830/6793."
Police were also called to a liquor store on Victoria Street at 4:45am, where an offender tried to break into the shop but was unsuccessful.
"Police are making follow up enquiries into the incident," the spokesperson said.
"Anyone with information can contact Police on 105 quoting the reference number P051735459."
It came just hours after Auckland residents, business owners, police officers and politicians gathered at a public meeting over a recent spike in ram-raids and crime.
Businesses are calling for improved lighting in the central city, more police patrols and easier access to funding for bollards.
Michael Hill stores have been a continuing target for criminals.
Its shop on Broadway in Newmarket was targeted for the second time in just over a month last week. It was hit by a brazen daylight robbery, with burglars smashing their way into cabinets.
Earlier this month, five offenders broke into a Takapuna store - with footage from the scene showing one of the store's front doors completely shattered and glass scattered over the entrance to the shop.
Hamilton was also targeted by a night of crime with at least five locations burgled across the city on Tuesday morning.
Police Minister Chris Hipkins said there had been 129 ram-raids since May and "almost all of them" had been committed by people under 18.
RNZ reported last month there had been a 400 percent increase in ram raids in five years.
When questioned by the ACT Party on Thursday last week about the spike in ram-raids, Hipkins told the House 38 offenders had been identified or arrested with "almost all of these people are under 18 years old, and their median age was 15".
A further 27 offenders had been seen on CCTV but police don't yet know who they are. Of the 129 ram-raids, 84 happened in Auckland, Hipkins added.
In the past five years, ram-raids and smash-and-grab robberies have increased dramatically with a 400 percent increase - with 76 percent of those being caught under the age of 18, RNZ reported last month.
