Shop owner lives in fear

A terrified shop owner who was threatened by two youths is urging Child, Youth and Family to tighten security measures after they fled from a care facility.

It is alleged two 15-year-old boys absconded from a non-secure CYF home on Highstead Rd before they allegedly robbed the Kosco Asian Supermarket on Main North Rd, Papanui, and threatened to stab shop owner, Palk Flanco.

Mr Flanco has been living in fear ever since.

"It was bad that those two boys just left the home. I was scared. They stole from my shop and they threatened to stab me. I didn't know that they were only 15. That is ridiculous.

"Social welfare needs to look at their security measures. I was scared they were going to come back. What would have happened if they had stabbed me."

Mr Flanco said he didn't understand how the boys could walk out of a supervised home without anyone noticing.

"I don't think their security measures are as good as what they need to be. You can't have these types of kids getting out and committing robberies.

"I think they had planned this for quite some time. They are a danger to the community if they display this type of behaviour," he said.

It is alleged the boys stole packets of synthetic cannabis K2.

Both offenders were identified through CCTV footage a week after the alleged robbery.

Detective Carmel Gunn said both boys are known to police and have been separated into two different homes since the alleged robbery.

"We were concerned that they could've re-offended, which is why we were so glad we identified them quickly through those images," she said.

A security shake-up was also urged by Merivale residents after dangerous sex offender Ivan Campbell, 46, and criminal Jaydon Galland, 18, walked out the front door of the Salisbury Street Foundation they were paroled to, two weeks ago.

The pair, assisted by associate Jamie Campbell, 25, were caught by armed police near Arthurs Pass after they absconded from the halfway home in St Albans St.

Residents told The Star they were terrified of the type of convicted criminals which are paroled there and said it is wrong the foundation is located in the heart of suburban Christchurch and close to schools and childcare facilities.

Child, Youth and Family Southern Regional director Kelly Anderson said the Highstead Rd home is one of three CYF family homes in Christchurch, which isn't secure.

"Young people can come and go within appropriate parameters and with consent as they would from any normal family home. If a young person is repeatedly absconding and this is creating unsafe situations for themselves or others, supervision will be increased and/or alternative arrangements for their care may be made.

"Youth Justice residences are for young people who have, or are alleged to, have offended.

"Our care and protection residences are for children and young people whose behaviour is placing either their own safety or that of others at risk and it is determined they need to be in a secure facility," she said.