Victorian teens stealing aerosols from supermarkets to feed chroming habit

Teens are swarming shops and “loading their pockets” with cans of deodorant amid a resurgence of chroming among school children.

Young teens are brazenly stealing deodorant cans for chroming in front of security guards, with workers saying they have seen an “increase” in thefts.

Workers from Victoria’s major supermarkets including Aldi, Woolworths and Coles have told the Herald Sun that teens have been swarming shops in Melbourne’s southeast to steal deodorant cans and other items.

It comes after Lilydale High School student Esra Haynes, 13, suffered a cardiac arrest from chroming and died last week.

Premier Daniel Andrews said he would consider launching an education campaign in Victorian schools in the wake of Esra’s death.

In one shocking incident at Aldi in Clyde North last week, three teenage girls were seen stealing and hiding deodorant cans in the pockets of their cargo pants.

A mum, who witnessed the incident told the Herald Sun, she was “furious” that workers and security guards were “powerless” to stop the thefts.

Esra Haynes died last week after suffering a cardiac arrest from chroming. Picture: Supplied

“We walked past the teens and suddenly heard a commotion, my son pointed at them and noticed they were stealing the cans,” she said.

“One of them couldn’t even walk properly because their pockets were loaded with cans.

“When we told staff they told us it was ‘OK’ and to let them go and this frustrated me as it’s clear they are using these cans for the wrong reasons.”

A Coles worker, who works in Dandenong, said he had noticed an “increase” in teens stealing deodorant cans in recent months.

“I have seen kids in school uniform put Rexona cans in their school bags. They do it in front of security and they don’t care if there are workers nearby,” he said.

“I’ve also noticed more alcohol thefts, which is very concerning.”

A Woolworths worker, from Cranbourne, said he had seen teens walk into the supermarket and “stuff their pockets” with deodorant cans.

“I know that they are using them for chroming as I’ve seen deodorant cans scattered everywhere in parks in the area,” the worker said.

“They don’t care about security or police, they think they’re above the law.”

The Premier said more needed to be done to educate teens about the dangers of chroming following the death of Esra Haynes. Picture: Supplied

Some shops are keeping deodorant cans behind locked cabinets. Picture: Supplied

Australian Retailers’ Association chief executive Paul Zahra said the association commended Coles and Woolworths for taking the initiative to store deodorant behind locked cabinets in some states in response to chroming concerns.

“Retailers are continuing to undertake consultation and are monitoring the issue of aerosol inhalation in Victoria, and across Australia,” Mr Zahra said.

“There are many dangerous aerosols sold in supermarkets and hardware stores, and it is vital that children and teenagers are educated about the dangers and risks associated with chroming.”

A Woolworths spokeswoman said together with its suppliers and community groups, it was exploring more practical longer-term solutions to safely display aerosol products on the shopfloor.

“We understand that this is a complex issue and we are engaged with a variety of organisations from police to community groups as well as our own store team staff,” she said.

Deodorant cans have also been spotted littered throughout parks in the southeast. Picture: Supplied

An Aldi spokeswoman said: “When it comes to products like deodorant, we always aim to balance customer convenience with community and store safety”.

“The reports of issues surrounding this product are concerning and is something that we are actively monitoring,” she said.

The spokeswoman said the team had spoken to the Clyde North store to ensure it was accurately reporting any product theft.

A Coles spokeswoman said the company worked with local police, community health and support groups to monitor stores of concern for items that could potentially be targeted for misuse, including aerosol products.

A state government spokesperson said the government was continuing to work with health practitioners, families, schools and the broader community to reduce drug harms.

“We’re improving health and social outcomes for Victorians, investing $313m in alcohol and drug services in the Victorian Budget 2022-23,” they said.