How new police taskforce has dangerous retail thieves in its sights

As a growing number of terrified Melbourne traders are abused and harassed by aggressive, drunk and drug-fuelled patrons, a specialist police taskforce will target those who assault and attack them.

The city’s most dangerous retail thieves are the targets of a specialist police operation honing in on aggressive and drug-fuelled customers who assault and abuse traders.

Police have already arrested more than 30 of the city’s most prolific offenders who are accused of punching, kicking, abusing and spitting on terrified and fed-up workers.

Traders and customers in trouble-plagued zones such as Elizabeth and Bourke streets in the CBD are tipped to be central in Operation Stand’s ongoing activity, to be announced Friday.

The dedicated team have laid nearly 480 charges, arrested 24 thieves a combined 32 times and seized nearly $100,000 worth of stolen goods in just six weeks.

Operation Stand aims to lock up those responsible for stealing large quantities of goods who also abuse, intimidate and threaten terrified and innocent workers. Picture: Mark Stewart

Furious workers dealing with aggressive, drunk and drug-fuelled patrons have been extremely vocal with their safety and operative concerns to the Herald Sun in recent months.

One offender was caught on CCTV abusing a young worker before he tossed the eftpos machine at her before walking away.

Another was seen attempting to pull a large coffee machine from the shop counter which saw several unused cups fall to the ground.

Operation Stand aims to lock up those responsible for stealing large quantities of goods who also abuse, intimidate and threaten terrified and innocent workers.

Operation Stand Commander Superintendent Brett Kahan put aggressive and violent city goers on notice.

The dedicated team of Operation Stand officers will work with both small and large businesses in the CBD and Yarra with the assistance of streamlined technology. Picture: Mark Stewart

“Retail staff have long been dealing with intimidating, aggressive and violent behaviour and it was time we took a stand against it,” he said.

“To the people who think they can steal and use intimidation tactics to get away with it, know that your time is up, and you will be held to account.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe at work, so we will continue to run this operation until that is the case.”

The dedicated team of Operation Stand officers will work with both small and large businesses in the CBD and Yarra with the assistance of streamlined technology.

The new online platform allows retailers to instantly notify Stand officers when a non-urgent incident occurs at their store.

Police have already arrested more than 30 of the city’s most prolific offenders. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

It will send officers detailed descriptions of the offenders with any relevant CCTV footage – meaning city traders won’t have to file a time consuming police report at a station.

Those who have already been arrested are alleged to have accumulated a combined $200,000 worth of stolen goods, putting a huge strain on struggling city businesses.

Among the worst offenders to have already been picked up was a 36-year-old man accused of stealing nearly $100,000 worth of luxury clothes, handbags and makeup from the CBD in just six months.

Police say traders are sick and tired of putting up with disgusting and unlawful behaviour. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The Footscray man – who has been charged with 35 counts of theft – allegedly became aggressive and verbally abusive when confronted by workers.

Another man accused of spitting on retail staff and threatening to injure them was arrested after he allegedly stole nearly $10,000 worth of goods from CBD liquor and clothing stores.

That man, from Prahran, was hit with nearly 50 offences including aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

Police say much of the stolen luxury and designer items are exchanged for cash or drugs, at sales on Facebook Marketplace and in the streets.

Some vulnerable drug users are even given ‘shopping lists’ from those higher up and are ordered to steal the products on their behalf, and are paid in cash or illicit drugs.