WELLINGTON, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand businesses will soon have additional powers to detain suspected offenders under changes to the country's Crimes Act, a senior official said on Tuesday.
The Crimes Act Amendment Bill is scheduled for its final reading in parliament this week. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said in a statement that the government is committed to ensuring retailers are effectively protected, empowered to stop offending, and that offenders are caught and deterred from reoffending.
Goldsmith said retail crime costs New Zealand businesses billions of dollars and that retailers and security guards "face abuse and assault that no New Zealander should be subjected to."
The amendment ensures criminals face stronger penalties for retail crime, attacking first responders, coward punches, and dealing in slaves, the minister said.
The changes to citizens' arrest powers require a person making an arrest to contact police and follow police instructions. They also clarify that reasonable restraints and reasonable force may be used when making an arrest or defending property. ■