This story was first published by ThePress
Business owners feel fearful and ignored after a spate of ramraids across Christchurch. Among them are, clockwise from top left, Karina Huang of Vapeology, Kishan Bhalani, of Oaks Village Foodmart, Mandi Coles, manager of Vape Crew, Westende Jewellers owner Andrew Kelso, Vasantha Chandramohan, of Challenge Port Hills, and Prebbleton Dairy Sangeet Metha.
Mandi Coles goes to work every day fearing there will have been a break-in. Karina Huang struggles to sleep, anticipating a call from her security company.
Vasantha Chandramohan is still waiting on a police report for a raid at his petrol station, while the toll of repeated attacks has left Sangeet Mehta considering leaving the country.
These are some of the Christchurch business owners who have been on the receiving end of recent ramraids – there have been more than 40 in the last six months – and left feeling fearful, overwhelmed and ignored.