Christchurch Police Deploy Eagle Helicopter to Tackle Rising Youth Crime After Opawa Dairy Owner Stabbing

Christchurch Boosts Police Presence with Eagle Helicopter to Combat Youth Crime Wave

Christchurch is ramping up its efforts against a recent surge in youth crime, with authorities deploying the Eagle helicopter for a two-month operation. This intensified response follows a distressing incident where Opawa dairy owner Kamlesh Patel sustained serious injuries during an aggravated robbery earlier this week.

Opawa Dairy Robbery Prompts Urgent Police Action

The catalytic event occurred on Tuesday morning when three individuals carried out a raid on Opawa Discounter dairy. During the robbery, Kamlesh Patel was stabbed, leaving him with significant injuries. The offenders fled the scene in a vehicle, taking a till and other items. Police have since arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection with the incident, highlighting the involvement of young offenders in the city's crime spike.

Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill confirmed that the Eagle helicopter would arrive in Christchurch on Friday to bolster the police's capabilities. This operation is being launched to disrupt offending patterns, hold offenders to account, and deter any further offending, Hill stated. He acknowledged the community's frustration, emphasizing, We understand there is a lot of frustration among the community following recent offending, and we hear you. We know the impact this has on business owners and their staff. Nobody should turn up to work in fear of becoming the next victim of this violent offending.

Community Impact and Call for Public Assistance

The incident has deeply affected the community, particularly the victim's family. Nidhi Patel, Kamlesh Patel's daughter, shared her heartbreak on social media, describing the attack as “shocking and heartbreaking.” She highlighted her father's dedication, working “16-18 hours a day, 7 days a week,” and his deep connection to his business, which he considers “not just his work - it's his home, his safe place.” While Kamlesh Patel is now in stable condition, he faces a considerable recovery journey, leaving his family shaken and frustrated.

In addition to the aerial support, police are also reinforcing their 'youth targeting team' with additional staff. Superintendent Hill has appealed to the public for assistance in locating others involved in the dairy robbery, specifically requesting sightings of a silver Toyota MarkX with the registration number NRP221. We would like anyone who may have seen this vehicle in the Opawa or surrounding areas to please contact police immediately, he urged.