Michael Hill Jeweller to Close Whakatāne Store Amid High Retail Crime Michael Hill Jeweller has announced the closure of its Whakatāne store due to ongoing retail crime in the area. The decision comes after several recent incidents at the store, including a robbery and multiple break-ins. “We deeply regret having to close our Whakatāne store, which has been part of the community for over 20 years,” said Michael Hill International Managing Director Daniel Bracken. “However, the safety of our staff and customers is our top priority, and the recent increase in retail crime has made it impossible for us to operate safely.” According to Bracken, the store has been targeted by offenders who have taken advantage of the lack of security measures in the surrounding area. “We have invested heavily in security, including alarms, CCTV cameras, and security guards,” he said. “But even these measures have not been enough to deter the criminals.” The closure of the Michael Hill Jeweller store is a blow to the Whakatāne business community. Mayor Judy Turner expressed her disappointment and urged authorities to take action to address the retail crime problem. “This is a sad day for Whakatāne,” said Turner. “We have lost a valuable business to crime, and it is a reminder that more needs to be done to protect our local retailers.” Police have acknowledged the issue and said they are increasing patrols in the Whakatāne CBD to deter further crime. “We understand the concerns of the business community and are committed to working with them to keep our streets safe,” said Eastern District Commander Superintendent Edward Clough. Michael Hill Jeweller employees will be redeployed to other stores within the company. Customers who have outstanding orders or repairs will be contacted to arrange alternative arrangements. The closure of the Whakatāne store is a grim reminder of the growing problem of retail crime in New Zealand. Businesses nationwide are reporting increased incidents of theft, vandalism, and violence. The government and law enforcement must take this issue seriously and implement effective measures to protect our retailers and communities from these dangerous criminals.Michael Hill Jeweler in Whakatāne will close at the end of the month after it has been repeatedly targeted by retail crime.Michael Hill Jeweler in Whakatāne will close at the end of the month after it has been repeatedly targeted by retail crime. The store, located on The Strand in the CBD, will close on June 29. A spokesperson for Michael Hill said that despite the investment in improving safety measures, the decision was made to close the store. Additional security aids included fog cannons, additional security cameras, alarms, and personal alarms for staff. However, the store has “experienced an increased number of break-ins and thefts, several of which occurred during business hours,” the spokesperson said. Michael Hill chief executive Daniel Bracken said it was a sad day for the company. “We are very disappointed to have to close our store in Whakatāne. Our loyal customers will be encouraged to engage with our digital channel and other Michael Hill stores in the Bay of Plenty,” Bracken said. “Retail crime has had a significant impact on our business in New Zealand and unfortunately the closure of this store is our only option. “The safety and well-being of our team members and customers will always remain our top priority.” The Whakatāne store was targeted for an alleged aggravated robbery last month. Images of the incident provided to the Rotorua Daily Post shows a vehicle backing into the front of the store before leaving the scene as people on the street watch, and one person yells at them. It was also the subject of a raid in May 2021, in which two offenders were caught on CCTV ramming the front of the store with a white ute, smashing the glass door and gaining entry. Camera footage shows the two criminals, well covered to hide their identities, using a tomahawk to break the store’s display cases and fleeing with merchandise worth thousands of dollars.Whakatāne Michael Hill store to close due to high retail crime Whakatāne’s Michael Hill store will close its doors next month due to high levels of retail crime. The closure is part of a wider trend of retail stores closing in the Eastern Bay of Plenty town due to theft and vandalism. Michael Hill New Zealand’s chief executive, Craig Bonnington, said the decision to close the Whakatāne store was not made lightly. “We have been working closely with the local police and security companies to try to reduce the number of incidents, but unfortunately, the situation has not improved,” he said. “The safety of our staff and customers is our top priority, and we can no longer operate a store in an environment where they are at risk.” The store will close on October 15. Bonnington said the company was committed to supporting its staff during the transition. “We will be working with them to find alternative roles within the company or to support them in finding new employment,” he said. The closure of the Michael Hill store is a blow to the Whakatāne community. Whakatāne Mayor Judy Turner said the closure was “a sad day for Whakatāne”. “Michael Hill is a well-respected brand, and its closure is a sign of the challenges that our town is facing,” she said. “We need to work together as a community to address the issue of retail crime. We need to make sure that our town is a safe place for businesses to operate and for people to shop.” Police said they were aware of the issues facing retailers in Whakatāne and were working to address them. “We are working closely with the local business community to identify and apprehend those responsible for these crimes,” said Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Craig Scott. “We encourage businesses to report all incidents of crime to the police, no matter how minor. This information helps us to build a picture of the problem and to target our resources accordingly.”