New data from the Victorian Government’s Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) shows that recorded retail crime offences in the state jumped 20 per cent in the year ending June 30, 2025.
This is from 82,748 recorded incidences to 99,114, and is the highest level of retail crime in a decade and makes retail the third-highest location for crime after private dwellings and streets/footpaths.
According to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA), this data confirms retail crime is at crisis levels.
“Today’s figures are grim and confirm Victoria’s retail crime crisis is only getting worse,” ARA CEO Chris Rodwell said. “We’re seeing a criminal offence at least once every five minutes in a retail setting, an assault every couple of hours and cases of aggravated robbery and weapon-related offences daily or more.
“While this reported data is alarming, the sad reality is it underestimates the true figure, as so much retail crime still goes unreported. The toll this is having on our retail workers is unacceptable.”
Within the numbers, thefts from retail stores increased 26 per cent or by 7,435 to 36,254. This comes as the total sum of all recorded criminal offences in the year to June 30 rose 15.7 per cent to 638,640.
Property and deception offences had the largest increase in the last 12 months, up 21.2 per cent or 66,144 to 378,050 offences. The main driver of the increase was theft offences, up 54,175 to 246,654 offences. Stealing from motor vehicles drove the increase, which lifted 24,409 to 86,351 offences in the last 12 months.
Assault and related offences in retail settings also climbed 21 per cent year-on-year.
Rodwell said the data has renewed calls for urgent action from the Victorian Government.
“Unfortunately, Victoria remains the only state without strict, proactive legislation on retail crime to protect retail workers and customers,” he said. “Without tougher penalties and stronger police powers to apprehend offenders, incidents will continue to escalate.
“That’s why the ARA and NRA are calling for immediate reforms: a dedicated Police Taskforce for Retail Crime, introducing enforceable Workplace Protection Orders, implementing streamlined online reporting, and legislating increased police search powers through initiatives like Jack’s Law. These proven measures are working elsewhere in Australia and must be adopted in Victoria to protect the state’s retail workforce.”
Rodwell said retail crime is a top risk for retailers, with a collective annual bill running at more than $9 billion. He said this is an unacceptable burden for retailers and a cost that finds its way to higher prices at the checkout.
“Retailers need governments to act before the situation worsens,” Rodwell added. “The risks to worker and customer safety, business viability and community confidence are not receding.
“We’ve seen a number of strong state-based responses to the retail crime crisis in some parts of the country. It’s critical that the Victoria Government follows suit. We also need the Federal Government to coordinate the states to ensure a nationally consistent response.”