Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said that her government is working on tightening laws around crime and punishment that will prevent horrific murders such as that of a diary worker in her Sandringham constituency but stopped short of details.
She fought back tears at a press conference held at the Auckland Central District Police Headquarters following her visit to the scene of the murder this afternoon (November 26, 2022).
She said that she has spoken with the members of the victim’s family and that their situation was ‘a horrific period of mourning and grieving. ’She said that ministers will meet again on Monday (November 28, 2022) and discuss the way forward in reducing violent crimes.
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Sorrowful conversation
Ms Ardern said that she has not yet met the members of the family of the Sandringham Superette victim, since she is ‘mindful of the fact that they have not yet been able ‘to lay their loved one to rest.’ “I have spoken to them and will be seeking an opportunity to meet with them face-to-face on their terms and on their time. I am mindful of their privacy. My conversation with the family was full of sorrow,” she said. She said that her sympathies were with the family of the victim and that she has held discussions with owners of businesses in the area. “We have also been regularly meeting with businesses in other parts of the city and the country and these discussions have given us a clear idea of the needs of this sector,” she said. Ms Ardern was accompanied by Police Minister Chris Hipkins and Ethnic Communities Minister Priyanca Radhakrishnan.
The murder of Janak Patel
As reported earlier, a dairy worker at the Rose Cottage Superette located at Fowlds Avenue, close to the main Sandringham Road, succumbed to serious stab injuries on Wednessday (November 23, 2022) night. Since then, public outrage and fear has been palpable with demands for stringent punishment awarded to perpetrators of violent crime.
The victim has been identified as 34-year Janak Patel who was employed temporarily at the Superette helping its owners who are reported to be on a holiday in India.
Police have since arrested two men following a manhunt. Both of them appeared in the Auckland District Court today. One of them, a 34-year-old man has been charged with murder and aggravated robbery, while a 42-year-old man has been charged with robbery.
Ms Ardern acknowledged the investigative work of the Police and commended them for their work that led to the arrest of alleged offenders.
Did the murder trigger government action?
Ms Arden defended her government, saying that it has increased the Police budget and provided more financial and human resources to the National Retail Crime Unit. “We have also increased the sentencing regime- for aggravated burglary up to 14 years, and for burglary up to 10 years. We are working on the ability to take younger offenders to court. We are doing our best to keep New Zealand safe,” she said.
Three-prong approach to crime
Acknowledging that recent rise in crime, Ms Ardern said that no New Zealander should operate under circumstances that make them feel unsafe. “The government will do all that it can and partner with all those who have the ability to make a difference. Prevention, intervention and responsibility remain our core focus,” she said.
Mr Hipkins said that the Police are working with retailers on issues such as store layout, security systems and other measures to improve their safety.
Malini Yugendran is an Indian Newslink correspondent based in Auckland.
