Enhanced protections for retail workers in Australia urged amidst crime surge

Key demands include stricter laws, better retailer-police collaboration, improved data sharing, and more technology.

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) are calling for urgent reforms to combat the growing wave of retail crime affecting staff and business owners across Australia.

Key demands include stricter laws, better collaboration between retailers and police, improved data sharing, a focus on the human impact of retail crime, and increased use of technology. These calls are made in conjunction with the 2024 Retail Crime Symposium, which addresses issues like worker assaults and organised crime infiltrating stores and online platforms.

“Retail crime has devastating impacts on businesses and their teams. It’s an issue that is multifaceted – with increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks, organised crime rings targeting retail stores, and violent confrontations that are taking an emotional toll on frontline workers,” said Paul Zahra, CEO of ARA. 

“It’s something that keeps our retail leaders up at night as they fear for the safety of their staff," he added.

He stressed the need for a unified approach to tackle these challenges, including fostering stronger relationships between retailers and police, enhancing data collection to track retail crime trends, and adopting technology to deter criminals and hold them accountable.

NRA Interim CEO and Legal Director Lindsay Carroll echoed the call for collective action, urging governments, law enforcement, and retailers to unite against the pervasive issue of retail crime.

The ARA and NRA have been advocating for stricter penalties for assaults on frontline workers. Recent legislative changes include new laws in South Australia, New South Wales, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory, with pending legislation in Tasmania and Victoria.

“Research shows that stricter laws do have a positive impact for retailers and communities, by creating safer working and shopping environments,” said Carroll. “However, police need more resources to effectively act on aggressive individuals, and retailers need to increase their reporting of these incidents to police.”