Record shop theft leaving Victorian business owners ‘distressed’ amid crime wave

Rampant shoplifting and abuse is crippling Victorian businesses which are struggling to make ends meet during a wild crime wave targeting retailers.

Victorian businesses say they are suffering as retail crime reaches record heights across the state

Victorian businesses are bearing the brunt of the worst crime wave targeting retailers in more than a decade, with “distressed” shop owners forking out thousands on extra security amid rampant shoplifting.

Business owners say they have been crippled by a major theft increase in the past year, with the latest Crime Statistics Agency data showing a retail theft related offence was committed every 15 minutes across the state.

Natellie Moloney, who owns Crystals & Flames in Chelsea, said she suffered a “panic attack” and had to go on medication to combat her anxiety after a spate of recent criminal activity at her store.

“Since I’ve been here we’ve been robbed while open, one of our staff was assaulted, had the back door kicked in and we deal with shoplifters and that’s just in two years and I shouldn't have to deal with that,” she said.

“There’s one particular lady that’s caused my mental health to deteriorate.

“I’m 53, I’ve never had to go on medication or had anxiety and because of one lady now, she broke me.

“I had my first ever panic attack on the floor of the police station not being able to breathe, not being able to do anything.

“The two times she’s been in I’ve lost $400 worth of stock. I’m a very small business that’s a huge amount of money for me to lose off one person.

“I’m dealing with anxiety of I don’t know if someone is going to come in and do the wrong thing.”

An alleged thief is pushed out of the store at Crystals & Flames during a wild confrontation with staff. Picture: Facebook

Among safety measures installed include 12 cameras — which set her back $1500 — and a “door bell system”, requiring customers to ring the bell before they entered.

Ms Moloney said she decided she would move once her lease expired.

“I don’t want to be here anymore,” she said.

Across the state there were more than 41,000 theft offences at retail stores in the year to March 2025, nearly double the amount recorded a decade ago and a 38 per cent increase on last year.

Service stations and supermarkets suffered the highest amount of thievery, followed by department stores.

20 in 28 hours: Armed teens hit servos, bottle shops in extraordinary crime spree. Picture: 9News.

Last week teenagers armed with knives and a baseball bat allegedly targeted 20 petrol stations and bottle shops in a wild 24 crime spree between Werribee and Braeside.

Across the state, 15 municipalities recorded more than 1000 offences for retail theft.

By comparison only six LGAs reached this threshold in 2024.

Recorded thefts from stores nearly doubled in both the City of Melbourne and Greater Geelong in the year to March 2025, with Darebin businesses — in Melbourne’s north — also heavily targeted.

Staff from the Op Shop West Footscray — located on Barkly St — said it regularly dealt with heartless thieves damaging and stealing items from the store.

In one incident a heartless crook poured chemicals inside the shop and raided the shop’s food bank storage area, filled with ingredients for locals in need.

The shop’s manager Jason said the store had spent “thousands” on cameras.

Last year the government announced tougher laws protecting retail staff from assault and vile abuse.

The teens stole items in their 28 hour spree. Picture: 9News

A 2023 survey of 4600 members from the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employee’ Association (SDA) found a shocking 87 per cent of workers had experienced abuse from customers.

Last month the owners of popular Footscray cafe Eleven: 11 made the tough decision to shut the business down after an alleged attack at the shop.

A Victoria Police spokesman said “sustained cost of living pressures” had driven retail theft to record heights.

“Many people have turned to shop stealing for the first time, while organised criminals are also on-selling stolen goods, such as groceries and alcohol, as costs soar,” he said.

“Victoria Police has arrested hundreds of shoplifters across the state in the past year as part of co-ordinated operations, including 130 in Melbourne’s CBD, 65 on Chapel Street, and 100 in Shepparton.

“Highly visible police patrols frequently occur at the state’s biggest shopping centres and retail hub, including at peak times such as school holidays and weekends.”