In response to recent incidents, Police are intensifying patrols at Auckland petrol station forecourts, making significant progress in ongoing investigations.

Over the past week, five incidents, including aggravated robberies and burglaries, have occurred at various petrol stations across the region.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin leads the investigations, focusing on incidents in Western Springs, Green Bay, Papatoetoe, Glen Eden, and Remuera.

He notes that police teams are actively pursuing leads and exploring potential links between offenders involved in multiple offences.

A breakthrough in Auckland City includes the arrest of a 16-year-old male for an aggravated robbery at a Mt Roskill TAB on 29 February.

Following a search warrant, the suspect was charged, with further arrests anticipated.

The investigation has connected this incident to a subsequent aggravated robbery at a Western Springs petrol station.

In Counties Manukau, police have made five arrests related to 10 aggravated robberies at south Auckland petrol stations, occurring between December 2023 and January 2024.

Offenders, aged between 13 and 19, are facing multiple charges across different locations.

To reassure the community and protect businesses with 24-hour operations, police have escalated patrols across Auckland.

In a proactive move, 94 prevention visits were conducted at petrol stations throughout the region overnight.

Detective Inspector Baldwin emphasizes that this includes areas from Warkworth in the north to Tuakau and Mercer in the south.

Frontline staff are prioritising visits to forecourts to provide reassurance to employees and deter criminal activity.

The community is urged to report any information related to the incidents, and Detective Inspector Baldwin encourages reporting of suspicious activity, especially regarding vehicles traveling in convoy.

"Police are appalled at some of the violent behaviour that has been inflicted on people just doing their job," states Detective Inspector Baldwin. "We will continue to work to hold offenders to account that are inflicting harm on businesses and their employees."

The community is encouraged to report information to the Police, and anonymous tips can be provided through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.