Warning: The following contains descriptions of violence that may upset some readers.
Police are appealing for witnesses after a dairy worker in Hamilton lost two fingers after being brutally attacked by an alleged machete-wielding robber.
CCTV footage shows four offenders entering the Irvine Street Dairy in the Hamilton suburb of Frankton shortly after it opened at 7:30am Saturday.
The staff member, a young father, escaped to a back room but was chased down by one of the offenders who swung a machete, chopping off two of his fingers.
"He tried to save himself by bringing in his hand in between his head or chest and the machete thing hit him on his hands and his two fingers were cut down and dispatched from the hand," Irvine St Dairy owner Puneet Singh said.
Police said in a statement the robbery was distressing and will be causing concern in the community. They are following several lines of enquiry but wanted anyone with information that could help to come forward.
"We would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or events immediately after, or who has information about those involved.
"We would also like to hear from anyone who has private CCTV in the immediate area or surrounding streets, which may have captured footage of use to the investigation."
Police said the victim is now stable in hospital.
Singh said the offenders took off with about $20,000 worth of tobacco products.
It comes just a month after the fatal stabbing of dairy worker Janak Patel in Auckland outside the Rose Cottage Superette where he worked. Patel's death led dairy workers to strike.
Dairy and Business Owners Group chair Sunny Kaushal said the latest incident in Hamilton is not surprising.
If you can help, please contact Police on 105 or at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 ‘Update My Report’ referencing file number 221217/6333.
You can also call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
