It’s free to join the Victorian Chamber Community!

It’s free to join the Victorian Chamber Community!

Sign up and receive the latest business news and updates, opportunities to network and shape Advocacy from Victoria’s largest and most influential partner.

It’s free to join the Victorian Chamber Community!

Home
/
News
/

New campaign targets rising retail crime across Victoria

state government

A new campaign from Crime Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police is calling on Victorians to help tackle retail crime as theft and repeat offending continue to impact businesses, workers and communities across the state.

JUMP TO:
JUMP TO:

The campaign, The Real Cost of Retail Crime, aims to raise awareness of the broader consequences of retail crime while encouraging the public to report information that could help identify offenders and prevent further incidents.

Victoria recorded 41,775 retail theft offences in the year to March 2026, with police intelligence indicating that repeat offenders are driving much of the problem. More than half of identified offenders are linked to ongoing and organised offending across retail settings.

For retailers, the impact goes far beyond financial loss. Retail crime can expose workers to theft, intimidation, aggression and violence, creating safety concerns for staff and customers alike.

Stella Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Crime Stoppers Victoria, said the human impact of retail crime is often overlooked.

“Retail crime deeply affects victims. Behind every theft are workers and customers who may experience fear, abuse, and repeated exposure to harm.”

Ms Smith said stronger community reporting can play a vital role in preventing further harm.

“Retail workers have a right to feel safe at work, just as customers have a right to feel safe in the places they shop.”

The campaign builds on previous Crime Stoppers Victoria initiatives and will use CCTV footage and information about unsolved incidents and persons of interest to support police investigations and encourage public reporting.

Victoria Police is also urging the community to recognise retail crime as a serious issue affecting businesses of all sizes.

“Retail crime is not a victimless crime. It affects the worker behind the counter, the business owner trying to make a living and ultimately every member of the community who pays the price,” said Melissa Webbers, Commander, Victoria Police.

“No one should feel unsafe, face intimidation, threats or violence simply because they are at work or doing their shopping.”

The campaign encourages Victorians to stay alert and report suspicious activity that may help police disrupt repeat offending and prevent more serious crime. Reports can be made anonymously through Crime Stoppers Victoria.

Related articles

Victoria’s election priorities: What business needs to know

policy and advocacy

Victoria’s election priorities: What business needs to know

Research explored at a Committee for Melbourne and SEC Newgate briefing offers Victorian businesses a snapshot of community expectations ahead of the State Election.

04 November 2026
Competing State leaders make their pitch to business

policy and advocacy

Competing State leaders make their pitch to business

From tax relief and energy security to budget repair and business growth, Victoria Votes brought Premier Ben Carroll and Opposition Leader Jess Wilson together to outline their competing visions for the state’s economic future.

29 October 2026
Business calls for election spending restraint

policy and advocacy

Business calls for election spending restraint

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) is calling on all sides of politics to demonstrate fiscal discipline during the election campaign, warning that Victoria cannot afford a new wave of costly promises.

19 October 2026
Open for Business campaign reveals pressures Victorian businesses are facing

policy and advocacy

Open for Business campaign reveals pressures Victorian businesses are facing

The Open for Business campaign is giving Victorian businesses a simple way to share their story, highlight the challenges they face, and help shape the policies that will influence Victoria’s future.

30 September 2026

Memberships for wherever you are in business

Hard times. Good times. Crunch time. Growth time. We’re here to support you at all those pivotal times in your business life. We’ve now tailored our range of memberships to fit wherever you are in business – today and well into the future.

Let’s go
Memberships for wherever you are in business

Restricted Page

You are being redirected to our login page!