Australian retailers are urgently calling for government action following a significant 66 per cent rise in weapon-related crimes, particularly involving knives and blades, reported over the last year. According to recent data from Auror, a retail crime intelligence platform, a staggering one in four retail crimes now features some form of violence. Notably, the top 10 per cent of offenders are responsible for 60 per cent of total harm and loss in the industry.
Victoria experienced the steepest increase in threatening incidents, with a 52 per cent hike, coinciding with the recent introduction of a machete ban. Other states also reported concerning rises: Western Australia (48 per cent), New South Wales (33 per cent), South Australia (31 per cent), and Queensland (25 per cent). Additionally, the number of knife-related incidents escalated by 40 per cent in 2024 compared to the previous year, underscoring the alarming trend of violence in retail.
Nick McDonnell, Auror’s senior director of trust and safety, highlighted that retail crime is becoming increasingly brazen, violent, and organised. About 25 per cent of retail crime events include violence, intimidation, or abuse, presenting a significant challenge for law enforcement, which is unable to address all such incidents given their high frequency.
In response to this surge in aggression, major retailers such as Bunnings, Coles, and Woolworths have begun implementing CCTV and body cameras for staff to improve safety measures. Bunnings has even shared footage showcasing customers threatening staff with weapons, further illustrating the severity of the issue.
Recognising the urgent need for intervention, the National Retail Association (NRA) and the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) are urging the government to prioritise measures to combat violent retail crime. Lindsay Carroll, interim chief executive of the NRA, stressed the necessity for retailers and police to be equipped with adequate resources, including funding, policy reforms, and political guidance to tackle this growing problem effectively.
Furthermore, ARA chief industry affairs officer Fleur Brown emphasised the importance of instituting stricter penalties for offenders, arguing for the right of both employees and customers to feel safe in retail environments. The willingness to adopt technology-driven solutions and the implementation of enhanced legal repercussions for offenders are seen as vital steps in addressing this escalating trend of violence in Australia’s retail sector.