03:44Hundreds of Indian community retailers rallied in Auckland on Tuesday to urge the government to take tougher actions against the youth crimes following a recent jewellery shop attack that left the owner severely injured.
Footage shows protesters holding banners reading 'Stop crime' and 'Crime prevention is a Community Commitment', among others, while chanting 'Justice' in the city's suburb of Papatoetoe.
"They are just stealing the cigarettes, the cash, and so much stuff. So this is the reason we are standing up here to raise our voices. At least to change some laws against the crime," a protester Tapika said.
Another demonstrator Tiran claimed police need to widen its authorities range 'so things can improve'.
"If they will not do anything, then this is just a waste of time. So I request big leaders, the current government, to bring such a law that things can change," she added.
According to reports, the protest was triggered by an incident on June 23, when three teenagers aged 15, 16 and 17 allegedly tried to rob a family-owned Pooja Jewellers store in Papatoetoe and seriously injuring the owner by striking his head with a hammer.
A week ago, the New Zealand government announced the implementation of new measures to combat youth crime, including additional police staff deployed to patrol the cities and towns and harsher penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment.
According to the Oranga Tamariki 1989 Act, which is aiming 'to promote the well-being of children, young persons, and their families and family groups', young offenders may only be arrested or imprisoned as a last resort.
'Change some laws' - Hundreds of Indian retailers demand action on youth crime in Auckland
Hundreds of Indian community retailers rallied in Auckland on Tuesday to urge the government to take tougher actions against the youth crimes following a recent jewellery shop attack that left the owner severely injured.
Footage shows protesters holding banners reading 'Stop crime' and 'Crime prevention is a Community Commitment', among others, while chanting 'Justice' in the city's suburb of Papatoetoe.
"They are just stealing the cigarettes, the cash, and so much stuff. So this is the reason we are standing up here to raise our voices. At least to change some laws against the crime," a protester Tapika said.
Another demonstrator Tiran claimed police need to widen its authorities range 'so things can improve'.
"If they will not do anything, then this is just a waste of time. So I request big leaders, the current government, to bring such a law that things can change," she added.
According to reports, the protest was triggered by an incident on June 23, when three teenagers aged 15, 16 and 17 allegedly tried to rob a family-owned Pooja Jewellers store in Papatoetoe and seriously injuring the owner by striking his head with a hammer.
A week ago, the New Zealand government announced the implementation of new measures to combat youth crime, including additional police staff deployed to patrol the cities and towns and harsher penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment.
According to the Oranga Tamariki 1989 Act, which is aiming 'to promote the well-being of children, young persons, and their families and family groups', young offenders may only be arrested or imprisoned as a last resort.
Hundreds of Indian community retailers rallied in Auckland on Tuesday to urge the government to take tougher actions against the youth crimes following a recent jewellery shop attack that left the owner severely injured.
Footage shows protesters holding banners reading 'Stop crime' and 'Crime prevention is a Community Commitment', among others, while chanting 'Justice' in the city's suburb of Papatoetoe.
"They are just stealing the cigarettes, the cash, and so much stuff. So this is the reason we are standing up here to raise our voices. At least to change some laws against the crime," a protester Tapika said.
Another demonstrator Tiran claimed police need to widen its authorities range 'so things can improve'.
"If they will not do anything, then this is just a waste of time. So I request big leaders, the current government, to bring such a law that things can change," she added.
According to reports, the protest was triggered by an incident on June 23, when three teenagers aged 15, 16 and 17 allegedly tried to rob a family-owned Pooja Jewellers store in Papatoetoe and seriously injuring the owner by striking his head with a hammer.
A week ago, the New Zealand government announced the implementation of new measures to combat youth crime, including additional police staff deployed to patrol the cities and towns and harsher penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment.
According to the Oranga Tamariki 1989 Act, which is aiming 'to promote the well-being of children, young persons, and their families and family groups', young offenders may only be arrested or imprisoned as a last resort.