Businesses will soon have additional powers to detain and arrest those stealing from them with the Government’s Crimes Act overhaul scheduled to start its final reading this week, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“The economic cost of retail crime in New Zealand is in the billions. Retailers and security guards face abuse and assault that no New Zealander should be subjected to.

“Our government is committed to fixing the basics in law and order, and that means ensuring retailers are being effectively protected, are empowered to stop offending, and that offenders are caught and deterred from doing it again.

“The Crimes Act Amendment Bill is another significant piece of the Government’s efforts to restore law and order. It ensures criminals face stronger penalties for retail crime, attacking first responders, coward punches, and dealing in slaves.

“Where others may flee, first responders and front-line corrections workers run towards danger to help those who need urgent assistance. Assaulting them puts multiple lives at risk, so there must be greater consequences for these terrible acts of violence.

“We know how dangerous coward punches are. People can be killed or suffer lifelong brain injuries, yet perpetrators often receive lenient and insufficient sentences. That changes with this legislation.

“We promised to have this passed into law before the next election. We’re delivering. This legislation will take effect within a week of this Bill passing into law.”

The Crimes Act Amendment Bill includes:

Changes in relation to citizens’ arrest powers are: