Proactive release of Cabinet material relating to the Retail Crime Prevention Programme

Proactive release of Cabinet material relating to the Retail Crime Prevention Programme

Date Published: 
September 2023

The Government first funded the Retail Crime Prevention Programme (RCPP) in 2022 to be managed by Police. This has enabled Police to work closely with vulnerable small retailers who have been targeted by ram raid style burglaries to identify effective and practical security and safety solutions based on the particular features of each business and location. In November 2022, the Government announced that the RCPP would be extended to also assist victims of aggravated robbery [CAB-22-MIN-0548 refers].

Police have been actively identifying and contacting small retailers who have been a victim of a ram raid style burglary or an aggravated robbery since 1 November 2021.

As at 13 September 2023, the RCPP has assisted with the delivery of protective equipment to 636 stores across New Zealand, which includes 2,382 security interventions installed.

You can read more about the RCCP and find additional prevention resources on the Police website.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment also set up the Fog Cannon Subsidy Scheme which offers a $4000 subsidy to small retail businesses, which you can find more out on their website.

Proactive release

The following papers are being proactively released:

Papers

Description

Date

CAB-22-MIN-0548 - Additional Item - Youth and Retail Crime Update
(PDF, 122KB)

This Cabinet minute and paper agrees to include retailers who have been a victim of aggravated robbery to be eligible to receive support through the RCCP (it also agrees to the creation of MBIE’s Fog Cannon Scheme).
 

28 November 2022

BR-22-118CH - Additional support for small businesses to prevent aggravated robbery
(PDF, 446KB)

This briefing to the Minister of Police seeks agreement on matters relating to the implementation of crime preventative measures to support small businesses following Cabinet decisions on 28 November.
 

1 December 2022

CAB-23-MIN-0147 - Retail Crime Prevention Programme seeking additional funding
(PDF, 747KB)
 

This Cabinet minute and paper confirms an additional $9 million for RCPP.

11 April 2023

CAB-23-MIN-0310 - Retail Crime Prevention Programme Update and Additional Funding
(PDF, 1.5MB)

This Cabinet minute and paper provides an update on support offered by the RCPP, agrees on changes to the design of the RCPP, and seeks approval of funding of $8.241 million.
 

17 July 2023

 

Key sections of the Official Information Act under which information has been withheld

Certain information in the documents has been withheld under one or more of the following sections of the Official Information Act 1982:

  1. Section 6(c), as the release of this information could prejudice the maintenance of the law, including the prevention, investigation, and detection of offences, and the right to a fair trial.
  2. Section 9(2)(a), as the withholding of the information is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons.
  3. Section 9(2)(f)(iv), as the withholding of the information is necessary to maintain the constitutional conventions for the time being which protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials.

Definitions

  • A ram raid is a burglary or robbery in which a vehicle has been used to enter, or attempt to enter, a premises.
  • An aggravated robbery refers to a robbery that involved serious injury to someone, two or more people working together in a robbery, or a robbery where the offender had a weapon. A vehicle does not need to have been used to enter or attempt to enter the premises to constitute an aggravated robbery.
  • A burglary refers to entry or attempted entry into a building without permission with the intent to commit a crime. A robbery refers to theft or attempted theft of property accompanied by force or the threat of violence to a person or property.