CCTV footage of three men robbing the 24/7 Bakery on Ferry Rd, in Christchurch, early on Tuesday.

Security footage shows three balaclava-clad men enter a Christchurch bakery armed with a rifle, a hammer and a bat.

It was 2.40am on Tuesday when the trio stormed the 24/7 Buns Bakery on Ferry Rd.

One man threatened staff with a rifle, yelling at him to "stay down", while another with a hammer tried to open the till, police said.

GEORGE HEARD/STUFF Yvonne Zhang is fed up with robberies happening in her store.

He moved on to the cigarette cupboard while the man armed with a bat tried unsuccessfully to grab money from the till.

Police said while no-one was injured, staff were "understandably very shaken".

The offenders were described as tall Maori men, wearing black hoodies and balaclavas.

Owner Yvonne Zyang said it was the second time in a month robbers had targeted her business – and the fourth time in the three years she had owned it.

"There are too many bad people around here," she said.

Last time, on July 18, three robbers armed with knives and screwdrivers and wearing scarves on their faces forced staff to open the till.

This time, they wore full face masks. Two staff were working. The offenders took cigarettes and other items, Zyang said.

She believed the same three people were responsible for both robberies.

"They dressed the same, even the backpack was the same, the only thing different this time was the black masks.

"It's happening too often . . . I'm not complaining about police, but we need more security," she said.

There has been a recent spate of aggravated robberies in the city, although in several cases the offenders walked away empty-handed.

On July 30, Opawa Rd dairy owner Kamlesh Patel and his family fought off a robber armed with a stun gun, the fourth time he battled robbers targeting store.

On July 7, Christchurch's Union St dairy was held up at gunpoint. The offender threatened staff with the gun and demanded money and cigarettes before running off.

On July 4, a man armed with a gun tried to rob the Division Street Dairy in Riccarton, but was unable to open the unlocked sliding door.

On June 28, Breezes Rd dairy worker Ruchik Patel chased two armed robbers with a hammer after they held up The One Stop Convenience Store in Aranui. Police later arrested and charged Isaac Whatuira 21. A second arrest is pending.

The same day, a man armed with a rifle entered the Koki Dairy in Linwood Ave, Bromley, about 8.30pm, where a woman was covering for her sick friend. The offender threatened the woman and demanded money and cigarettes. No-one has been arrested.

On June 6, two masked men held up the Merivale TAB on St Albans Rd and fled with about $860. Police were looking for a grey sedan, but made no arrests.

The same day, a knife-wielding man entered the Poolside Dairy on Matipo St, Riccarton, and ran off with the till. There has been no arrest.

On May 28, a man armed with a hand gun entered a Souvlaki restaurant on Papanui Rd, but walked away empty-handed after the worker ignored him.

Anyone with any information on these crimes is asked to call Christchurch police on 03 363 7400.

Information can also be reported anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.