40pc rise in retail violence, abuse takes Tasmania to top of country, sparking calls for criminal code update

Violent and abusive incidents in Tasmanian retail stores have skyrocketed in the past decade, sparking calls for a state government-led crackdown. What’s being done.

Constable Siobhan O'Donovan and Constable Jerry Tojino. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

New research has found that violent and abusive incidents in Tasmanian retail stores have skyrocketed in the past decade, sparking calls for a state government-led crackdown.

The McKell Institute, a Labor-aligned think tank, has published a Data Brief into Retail Violence in Tasmania, finding that violence and abuse has increased by 40.3 per cent since 2014, which it says is the biggest increase in the country.

The research is based on crime figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics

McKell Institute CEO Ed Cavanough said incidents had “steadily increased” over the course of the Covid pandemic and the recent cost-of-living crisis.

“This research demonstrates that this type of abuse is rising fastest in Tasmania, which is a state that has fewer specific protections for retail workers than other states, including New South Wales and South Australia”, he said.

Mr Cavanough said Tasmania needed to amend its Criminal Code to “establish specific sanctions deterring violence and abuse in retail settings”.

Constable Siobhan O'Donovan and Constable Jerry Tojino. Tasmania Police members patrolling the Elizabeth Street Mall in relation to increased incidents of violence and abuse in retail settings. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The report recommends the Tasmanian government also launch a public awareness campaign in consultation with employer groups and unions.

According to the McKell Institute, the number of robberies in retail settings increased by 300 per cent between 2014 and 2022 and the proportion of total robberies occurring in a retail setting increased from 25.6 per cent to 43.3 per cent over that same period.

Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association Tasmania general secretary Joel Tynan backed the call for specific retail offences to be added to the Criminal Code.

“This amendment would be a crucial step towards providing retail workers with the protection they deserve,” Mr Tynan said.

“The SDA acknowledges the importance of broader coverage to address various forms of abuse, such as stalking, intimidation, and harassment, which retail workers frequently encounter.

“Our members, a significant proportion of whom are young, should be able to go to work without fear of violence or intimidation and their safety must be a top priority.”

A government spokesman said any abusive, aggressive or threatening behaviour towards retail workers was “clearly unacceptable and, potentially, unlawful”.

“The government is acutely aware of the community and retail sector concerns and will of course consider any proposed reform to further protect Tasmanians, which is why we have directed the Department of Justice to continue to monitor developments, including legal research and reform, in other Australian jurisdictions,” he said.

In May this year, Tasmania Police ramped up its foot patrols in the Hobart CBD in an effort to stamp out anti-social and criminal behaviour.

Constable Siobhan O'Donovan and Constable Jerry Tojino. Tasmania Police members patrolling the Elizabeth Street Mall in relation to increased incidents of violence and abuse in retail settings. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Officer in Charge of Hobart Division Inspector John Toohey said the dedicated patrols were “having an impact” and shoplifting was down 18 per cent as at September 1.

“Our community deserves to feel safe at home, out in public and in their workplaces,” Inspector Toohey said.

“We will continue to target anti-social and criminal behaviour and where appropriate, necessary and authorised by law, we will be charging those who offend, and putting them before a magistrate.”

The Mercury understands that security guards have been stationed at a number of Tasmanian Woolworths supermarkets considered to be high-risk. While some are in place for just a few days, others are stationed there seven days a week.

“We have a number of initiatives that we use, both covert and overt, to help reduce retail crime which currently mirrors a level that we experienced prior to the Covid-19 pandemic,” a Woolworths Group spokesman said.

A spokesman for Coles Supermarkets said body-worn cameras for staff were being trialled at some stores around the country, providing “additional security” for workers “faced with threatening situations”.

“[The cameras] are designed to be turned on if a team member feels they are in an unsafe situation,” they said.

It’s understood the cameras have not yet been trialled in Tasmanian stores.