Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Armed robbers have raided a jewellery store in a West Auckland mall on Sunday.
Police said they were attending the scene at Westgate's NorthWest Shopping Centre, after reports of five people smashing cabinets at a jewellery store and stealing a number of items about 3.45pm.
It is believed the targeted store was Michael Hill Jeweller.
The group fled in a vehicle which was later found abandoned in Regents Park, police said.
Another vehicle which was subsequently used has not yet been found.
Witnesses on social media reported seeing six police cars and a helicopter at the scene, and the mall was evacuated.
A hairdresser at the mall told RNZ she saw people running and closed the doors of her salon to keep the two staff and four customers safe.
Tessa said they waited for about 15 minutes until a fire alarm sounded. Everyone in the mall was then escorted out by mall security officers.
Protocol was at the top of her mind after the fatal stabbing attack in a Sydney mall two weeks ago, she said.
A police spokesperson said no injuries had been reported.
The jewellery store chain has been a target of repeated robberies and raids and has recently beefed up security measures, it said earlier this year.
Auckland Police recently launched Operation Dusk, dedicated to investigating offending at jewellery stores.
Police said the team would review and assess whether this incident was associated with previous robberies of jewellery stores in the Auckland City area.
There would continue to be an increased presence in and around shopping centres and malls over the coming weeks, police said.
Police are asking anyone who has phone footage of the incident or information which would help with enquiries to call 105 or report online at 105.police.govt.nz clicking "Update Report" and referencing file number 240412/0735.
Or by calling Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
