Crime Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police are launching a new campaign calling on information from the community to help prevent and disrupt retail theft offending.
The Retail Crime Costs Us All campaign will involve releasing CCTV footage of retail crime repeat offenders in Victoria to the public, appealing for community information.
Retail crime offending typically involves theft of goods and sometimes violent and aggressive behaviour towards staff and other shoppers, often resulting in thousands of dollars’ worth of stolen items.
Retailers targeted can range from grocery stores and liquor outlets to hardware stores and clothing shops.
Repeat offenders account for nearly 70 per cent of all retail crime incidents, with information from the community vitally important in helping police to detect offenders and disrupt the behaviour.
Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive Stella Smith said that retail crime affects everyone.
“Retail crime puts frontline workers and the community at risk and fuels further criminal activity. Everyone deserves to feel safe at work, yet frontline retail workers are routinely facing violence and threatening behaviour while simply doing their jobs,” Ms Smith said.
In addition to stealing goods, retail crime offenders often come prepared for confrontation, with increased reports of carrying weapons.
Assaults linked to theft in retail settings have risen by 12.3 per cent year on year, with assaults on females in a retail setting rising by 65.7 percent in 2024, highlighting the growing danger faced by frontline workers.
Victoria Police detective superintendent Geri Porter said that retail crime poses a direct threat to the safety of both workers and shoppers.
“Victoria Police takes this issue seriously, with over 1133 offenders arrested in the past month alone … and more expected to be held accountable in the coming months. We are working very closely with retailers to address this issue and our priority is to ensure everyone, including workers and shoppers, feel safe when visiting retailers,” Mr Porter said.
Victoria Police is calling for Victorians to provide any information about offenders, including their names, locations they frequent, licence plate details, any information about stolen goods including where they are being held, or information about recipients of stolen goods.
“Information from the community can and does significantly aid in disrupting retail crime and ensuring offenders are held accountable,” Mr Porter said.
Crime Stoppers Victoria is also urging the community to share information.
Details: crimestoppersvic.com.au/current-focus/retail-crime
