Police are ramping up their presence at shopping malls across Auckland amid a spate of jewellery store robberies.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said a dedicated team has been working throughout the weekend as part of an ongoing investigation into robberies at jewellery shops in some parts of Auckland.
Frontline staff visited malls more than 100 times between last Friday afternoon and Sunday evening.
"Throughout this period we had staff conducting foot patrols, reassurance visits to retailers and a higher visibility around shopping centres," Detective Inspector Baldwin said.
"Staff working at these stores are just doing their jobs, and they should not have to experience the blatantly violent behaviour on display during this offending.
"Our officers will continue to prioritise these prevention patrols over the coming weeks alongside other demand."
Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Baldwin said investigations are continuing into a recent spike in jewellery stores being targeted.
It comes after a Newmarket jewellery store was robbed on Sunday night, a ram raid in Newmarket on April 12, an aggravated burglary at St Lukes on April 14 and an aggravated robbery in Onehunga on April 18.
"Our investigation teams are following lines of enquiry into these incidents," Detective Inspector Baldwin said.
"While no arrests have been made at this stage, the investigation team are working through a substantial amount of information and evidence.
"As part of this, we are keeping an open mind as to whether these incidents may be connected and analysis regarding 'series linking' forms part of our process."
He said the police's priority is to find the people responsible and hold them to account.
He said police share the community's bleak view of the violence on display during these robberies. Baldwin added he's confident there will be people with information about those involved, or who witnessed these events.
"We encourage those people to come forward.
"We ask they contact 105 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, no piece of information is too small.
"Please reference the file number 240412/0735 or Operation Dusk," he said.
