Retail Association want thugs who bash workers to be punished harder

Fed up retailers want thugs who bash workers to be punished in the same way as those who assault emergency service staff amid a retail crime surge.

Shocking new data has revealed Victoria is the nation’s capital for violent retail crimes, as retailers lobby for thugs who attack staff to be punished the same as those who assault emergency workers.

Data released by retail crime intelligence platform Auror found Victoria had the highest number of retail crime events reported as “serious” in the past year, meaning they involved “physical abuse, violence or the use of the weapon”.

The state government has signalled it would introduce a new Bill to parliament by the end of 2025, focusing on harsher penalties for people who attack retail staff.

Victoria recorded 18,983 of these events according to Auror — far ahead of NSW with 12,741 and a larger population.

Business leaders — alongside government and police officials — met at a symposium in Melbourne on Thursday hosted by the Australian Retailers Association and National Retail Association to address the “concerning” crime increase.

ARA chief executive Paul Zahra told the Herald Sun retailers were advocating for crimes against their staff to be seen on par with those against emergency workers.

“We want to see that frontline staff in stores are protected in line with the way police and government see the protection for (emergency) workers,” he said.

“No one should come to work and be spat on, screamed at, or punched just for doing their job.”

A push for stronger laws was one of five points in the ARA’s “Action Plan” to tackle the rise of retail crime.

Paul Zahra, Chief Executive of the Australian Retailers Association. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Other focus areas included building stronger relationships with police and improved data sharing around crime within the retail sector.

Mr Zahra urged businesses to report criminal activity to ensure the industry can better protect itself.

“We don’t have enough data sharing,” he said.

“The retail industry is quite competitive and retailers don’t like sharing information. What we’re saying is when it comes to retail crime we want retailers to share information.”

In May the Allan government announced it would aim to introduce a new Bill to parliament by the end of 2025, focusing on harsher penalties for people who attack retail staff.

A Victorian government spokesperson said tougher laws would be introduced.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe at work and we’ll do everything we can to ensure this,” they said

“It’s disappointing that we have to legislate to protect workers from abuse but clearly too many people think it’s OK to intimidate and harass customer service workers.”

Victoria has also recorded a 10-year high for retail thefts, which includes offences like shoplifting.

Earlier this year Victoria Police released an extensive “theft prevention checklist” for businesses that included “watching for suspicious behaviour” and “securing cash handling and stock control.”

Among the traders who would benefit from the strengthened laws are Robert MacManus, who owns Northcote music store Sonic Rendezvous Music, and who recently had $25,000 worth of guitars stolen in one hit, leading to many “sleepless nights”.

“There’s the financial aspect but there’s also the psychological part of it all,” he said.

“You’re constantly in fear and always thinking that I’ve lost these guitars and should’ve done something.”

Sonic Rendezvous Music store owner Robert MacManus said the massive robbery at his store had a significant impact on his mental health. Picture: Sonic Rendezvous Music

Dandenong phone repair business A1 Phones Shah Kazemi said he has lost about $70,000 in stock to theft this past year.

“It doesn’t matter how much I try nothing is secure,” he said.

“Every single day I have to take most of the phones home with me to avoid them being stolen.”

A1 Phones at Dandenong Plaza has lost more than $70,000 worth of stock to theft. Picture: Supplied.