There has been a call in New Caledonia to curb thefts and robberies.
Noumea municipal police facade Photo: RNZ
Three business owner organisations have written an open letter to express their exasperation at the increase and frequency of robberies.
The organisations, which represent shopkeepers, service station managers and importers, want a bigger police presence as break-ins have become a daily occurrence.
Most robberies aim to get alcohol and cigarettes whose prices were recently hiked by the government in an effort to reduce the road toll.
The letter said the weakest shops will go under because the losses are colossal and often not covered by insurance.
It said everyone worries who will be next.
The letter also calls for better crime prevention strategies.