Retailers and Police Unite to Combat Rising Violence Against Shop Staff

Strategic Insights -

A wave of violent incidents targeting retail workers across Australia has prompted an unprecedented collaboration between the industry and law enforcement. The partnership, spearheaded by Woolworths and Scentre Group, aims to share information and develop new security measures to tackle the surge in crime. The initiative comes as the country witnesses a 21-year high in retail theft, with 267,750 instances recorded last year. Auror, a crime monitoring firm, reported 800,000 incidents in the past year, with a third occurring in Victoria.

Key Takeaways:

  • The partnership between retailers and police aims to share information and develop new security measures to combat rising violence against retail workers.
  • The initiative was inspired by a similar partnership in New Zealand, which led to a 34% decrease in ram-raid incidents in 2023.
  • Retailers are lobbying state governments for tougher legislation, including universal workplace protection orders and dedicated police retail crime task forces.
  • The Australian Retailers Association has met with Queensland Police Minister Daniel Purdie to advocate for measures to reduce violence against retail staff.
  • Woolworths has pointed to the success of protection orders in the ACT and wants them to be implemented nationwide.
  • In Victoria, Premier Jacinta Allan has vowed to introduce tougher penalties for retail crime, while the NSW and Queensland governments are considering similar measures.

Statistics:

  • Retail theft in Australia rose to a 21-year high last year with 267,750 instances recorded.
  • Auror reported 800,000 retail crime incidents across Australia in the past year.
  • 36% of reported incidents occurred in Victoria.
  • Viva Energy reported 40 robberies with force or a weapon, 26 break-and-enters, and 1591 threatening situations in the first three months of 2025.
  • Retailers are pushing for dedicated police retail crime task forces, with Victoria being the only state without one.
  • The only jurisdiction with workplace protection orders in place is the ACT, while South Australia and Western Australia are introducing similar legislation.

Sources:

  • Australian Association of Convenience Stores
  • Scentre Group
  • Woolworths
  • NSW Police
  • Victoria Police
  • Auror
  • Australian Retailers Association
  • Queensland Police Minister Daniel Purdie
  • Premier Jacinta Allan (Victoria)
  • NSW Government
  • Queensland Government