Police at the scene on Tuesday evening. Photo: RNZ / Felix Walton
Police have responded to a robbery at a jewellery store at St Lukes Shopping Centre in Auckland.
Police said a group of offenders smashed cabinets at Stewart Dawsons jewellery store and took some items before fleeing the scene.
A stolen vehicle believed to have been involved in the robbery has been located a short distance away.
The police said no shots were fired and there was no threat to the public.
A video showing the robbery has been released online.
It shows shoppers shouting at the offenders, and telling them to get out, and one of the robbers threatening a bystander with a baton.
Police say witnesses told them up to eight people, some as young as eight, were involved in the smash and grab.
Police have yet to confirm the ages of those involved.
A worker at the nearby Portmans store told RNZ that a member of the public confronted one of the robbers and was threatened with a hammer.
The Portmans worker said the incident attracted a crowd quickly.
A police officer at the scene told RNZ police received 16 calls from the public, all saying at least six to eight people were involved.
An RNZ reporter at the scene said he saw many displays in the store had been smashed, glass all over the floor, with a woman being comforted by colleagues nearby.
Police have put up barricades around the store in St Lukes.
The incident occurred in the middle of Auckland's rush hour.