7. Question No. 7—PoliceCHRIS BAILLIE (ACT) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 7—Police7. CHRIS BAILLIE (ACT) to the Minister of Police: What changes will the Government make to its response to retail crime after the fatal stabbing of a dairy worker in Sandringham last night if any and will the Government now remove the criterion that a retailer must first be a victim of crime in order for them to access funding from the Retail Crime Prevention Programme?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Police): I'd like to begin by acknowledging the tragic event in Auckland last night. I commend the efforts of the first responders at the scene and extend sincere sympathy to the victim their family and to the local community. As I've indicated previously I have already been reviewing the criteria to access the retail crime prevention fund. On the information that I have available at the moment it's not clear why the particular business concerned didn't have a fog cannon installed as part of the first stage of the programme which began back in 2017. I have asked for more information on that—I have not yet received a detailed explanation around that. It isn't possible for the taxpayer to subsidise security measures at every retail business in New Zealand and therefore there does need to be some criteria that guide who does and who doesn't get access to those subsidies. However as I've indicated I am continuing to review them.Chris Baillie: Why should small-business owners have any confidence in the Government's response to retail crime given that only seven businesses have had installations completed under the Retail Crime Prevention Programme over the last six months?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As I've indicated previously I would have liked to have seen faster progress earlier; however the retail crime prevention fund work has now accelerated and we are seeing significant progress in areas like fog-cannon installations and upgrades security sirens alarms CCTV lighting counter screens store mirrors window strengthening bollards planter boxes roller doors and so on. Of course I would have liked to have seen some of that happening sooner but I am confident that that work is now—as we indicated—accelerating.Chris Baillie: What does the Minister say to the serving police officer who said Well it was only a matter of time before a shopkeeper was killed in the current spate of robberies. If you allow people to offend without the risk of consequences there will be no fear for the bad people. Shame on those who have allowed things to get so out of control in New Zealand."?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I've not seen that particular quote and I don't intend to comment on an individual reported comment without knowing the authenticity or the source of it.Chris Baillie: What does the Minister say to dairy and business association chair Sunny Kaushal who said "As for the Prime Minister we've never had a single reply despite asking to meet." and does he think the MP for Mt Albert should visit the family of the victim?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I can say that I have personally met with Mr Kaushal and his group and as follow-up action so have the police—they have had at least one in-person meeting and several follow-up interactions to respond to the various proposals and issues that have been raised."