Shepparton businesses step up security after rise in shop theft

Shop owners are being left “terrified” as businesses step up their security measures in response to a sharp increase in shop thefts.

Shelley Culhane, owner of Focus Cards and Gifts in Shepparton, says retail theft happens often and losing stock hurts business owners.

Shepparton is experiencing a sharp increase in shop theft far surpassing the rest of the state, a crackdown on retail crime by police has revealed.

Local police have arrested more than 100 alleged thieves in nine months of Operation Mosaic after the community called for action.

There were 480 recorded retail theft offences in Shepparton in 2024 – an increase of 77 per cent year-on-year, compared with a 37 per cent increase statewide.

Greater Shepparton Business Network president Stephen Schneider said the increase in retail theft was linked to the cost of living crisis, which was a country-wide issue.

He said Shepparton businesses were proactive and had come together to work with police and local government on the issue.

“I think the statistics are partially inflated by the fact more businesses are actually reporting theft whereas previously they thought well it’s all too hard,” Mr Schneider said.

“It’s an outcome of cooperative conversation and logically if the police aren’t informed about issues that are going on, then it’s hard for them to respond.”

Mr Schneider said while the statistics were disappointing and confronting, they were also a sign of a positive response to a social issue since more shop owners were reporting crimes.

He said there were practices businesses could follow to limit exposure to theft.

“There are certain styles of business where merchandise is openly displayed and where opportunistic theft is perhaps more easily executed,” Mr Schneider said.

“To have staff to be front and centre and present is a really important deterrent and to be very security aware.”

Stephen Schneider, president of the Greater Shepparton Business Network, says more people were reporting shop thefts to police which was allowing them to take action. Picture: Supplied

Mr Schneider encouraged people to be aware of the ramifications of their actions.

He said small businesses were employing local people and were also battling rising costs and paying mortgages and wages, and also trying to put food on the table.

Mr Schneider said those in need could instead turn to Foodbank or People for People, charities supported by the community to help.

Shelley Culhane, owner of Focus Cards and Gifts, agreed, saying she would rather help someone who was in hard times get a gift and a card for a loved one than have them stolen from a small business.

She said every time she lost stock it hurt, but shop theft happened often and sometimes not in the way she would expect.

“There’s people stealing religious items like rosary beads or cross earrings, which I find bizarre,” she said.

“We try to keep an eye on people but you do get distracted by other customers sometimes and they do work in teams.

“We have security cameras but it just happens, it’s opportunistic and they’ll just take what’s there.

“You’re frightened, wondering do you approach them?”

Ms Culhane said social media was a tool that helped identify thieves.

Just around the corner, Jo Matthews of Delightful Rainglow said she was going to use it for the same purpose.

Ms Matthews said a fortnight ago two young people “forgot to pay for something”.

She said she had reported it to police, but just wanted her money back and would be posting on social media about the incident.

“We’re lucky it doesn’t happen very often but thank goodness for cameras,” she said.

“Most shelves we have are low, so you can’t hide and that keeps people fairly visible, intentionally.

“I think there’s more opportunity for theft in bigger stores where people can hide.”

Shepparton police officers have arrested more than 100 people suspected of shop theft in recent months.

Through Operation Mosaic, police were arresting about three people a week for retail theft.

Senior Constable Mitchell Bull said cost of living pressures undoubtedly contributed to a sharp rise in shop thefts across the state.

“Unfortunately, Shepparton is not immune with local hardware stores, supermarkets, liquor stores, and other small community businesses targeted,” he said.

“Once this trend became apparent, local police listened to our community, acted quickly and commenced a targeted crackdown.

“We know the names and faces of those responsible for most shop thefts in our community and will maintain a close eye on them to protect hardworking local business owners trying to earn a living.”