The owner of the South Auckland jewelery store still has safety concerns months after the robbery

A jewelry store owner is still worried about safety, months after being hospitalized in a robbery.

In June, Gurdeep Singh and his family tended to their shop, Pooja Jewelers in Auckland’s Papatoetoe, when a group of men broke outtrying to grab trays of jewelry.

Singh tried to intervene, and was hit several times in the head with a hammer by one of the attackers.

The group fled the scene after Singh’s son chased them out of the shop with a sword.

Five people were arrested in connection with the incident earlier this year, including a 16-year-old who was charged with aggravated robbery.

Months later, Singh said he was doing well and feeling positive, though he was still physically recovering.

The pain is still there a little bit, he said.

This injury has done something to my eyes, it is very hard for me to work with bright lights on.

With the pain and stuff, like the doctor said, it will take maybe a year or so to heal 100%.

Singh said they have since increased security at the store and have had no other break-ins or attacks since the June attack.

The door is much bigger, stronger, it is impossible to pass now, he said.

We have extra locks and are always aware and vigilant to see what is going on.

However, some safety concerns remained.

We feel safe when we are in the store, I feel sometimes with other people there, I don’t know, once a madman could come out, attack for no reason, he said.

It’s not just what happened to us, it’s just what’s actually happening around the world, particularly in South Auckland, that we’re seeing a lot of stabbings and killings and shootings and things like that.

My concern is that the whole community is honest, not just me and my family.

Police checked Pooja Jewelers when RNZ arrived to interview Singh.

He said police foot patrols and community patrols make a difference.

It makes me feel more protected, he said.

I feel safe and comfortable and happy for the shoppers, the people who come from other parts of the city to Papatoetoe.

Singh said the local retail trade association was in the process of working with Auckland Transport and the council to install more CCTV in the area.

We have a few, but I realized that not all of them are in working order as they should be.

We have ordered new CCTV and hope to have more cameras in town very soon.

Singh said he wants more security personnel in the area in the new year and for them to be present for longer hours than previous patrols.

He said following his attack, Papatoetoe retailers have rallied.

We all take care of each other, help and support each other, this is the best thing that happened in our city, I think this will continue in the coming years.

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