The father of the Auckland dairy worker, Janak Patel, who was fatally stabbed last year is demanding action from the Government to prevent further tragedies.
Kalidas Patel was among representatives from the Dairy and Small Business Owners Group, presenting their petition to Parliament on Wednesday afternoon.
Violent crime, it's an ongoing problem with no sign of letting up. Unless, the Dairy and Small Business Owners Group says, there's no Government intervention.
"Crime is out of control. We are getting robbed, bashed, burgled, you name it," said Dairy and Business Owners' Group chair Sunny Kushal.
On Wednesday, representatives from around the country gathered outside Parliament to present two petitions launched in the days following Janak Patel's death at the Rose Cottage Superette in Auckland.
His father was among those, in attendance.
"I already lost my son, I lost already my only son at least this incident shouldn't happen again in the country."
The group also presented a manifesto, detailing specifically how they want the government to combat crime.
Police Minister Ginny Andersen acknowledged the severity of the situation and says she'll consider all options once the petition is before the committee.
Until then, Andersen made a promise to the community.
"I will continue to make sure our front line is resourced. We've seen a significant number of apprehensions and prosecutions during this spike in crime and I will continue to work to make sure that front line comes when you need them."
But she says the problem isn't isolated to Aotearoa.
"We have seen a crime spike right across the world post-COVID. Australia, UK, US are all seeing these similar effects."
But National's police spokesperson Mark Mitchell says that's a cop-out.
"There is no reason why we shouldn't be on top of this problem, there is no reason why we shouldn't be the safest country in the world."
Reported retail crime has risen by 40 percent over the past year, violent crime in particular, is up 30 percent, and National says the country's now experiencing a "ram raid" every 15 hours.
The petition follows a vicious 72 hours of crime, with incidents up and down the country, including an attack at three restaurants on Auckland's North Shore.
A terrifying reality that officials admit won't be solved overnight.
