Australian retailers have reported a significant increase in retail crime involving weapons over the past year, with data revealing a 66 per cent rise in such incidents.
The surge in violent and threatening events across the country highlights growing safety concerns for frontline retail workers and customers alike.
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Increase in weapon-related incidents and violent behaviour
New figures from Auror, a retail crime reporting platform, indicate that events involving knives and blades climbed by over 40 per cent in 2024.
Overall, violent or serious retail crime events increased by 30 per cent nationwide, while threatening incidents rose by 39 per cent. Knives and blades were the most commonly used weapons, accounting for more than half of all weapon-related cases.
Victoria experienced the steepest growth in retail crime violence, with threatening events up 52 per cent and serious violent incidents rising 38 per cent.
Other states also reported notable increases in threats and serious crimes, reflecting a nationwide pattern of escalating aggression in retail settings.
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By GlobalDataImpact on retailers and calls for government action
Industry representatives and retail associations have stressed the urgent need for coordinated government responses.
According to Auror’s Senior Director of Trust & Safety, Nick McDonnell, the data reveals a concerning trend of more organised and violent criminal behaviour targeting retail environments.
Approximately one in four retail crime incidents involved some form of violence, intimidation, or abuse.
Retail peak bodies such as the National Retail Association (NRA) and Australian Retailers Association (ARA) have called on policymakers to prioritise tackling violent retail crime.
They argue that stronger support, including better funding, policy reform, and technological solutions, is essential to effectively address repeat offenders responsible for most of the harm and loss.
Regional variations and offender profiles
The data also shows that a small group of offenders are linked to the majority of retail crime harm, with the top 10 per cent responsible for over 60 per cent of losses last year.
While violent incidents increased across all states and territories, Victoria, Western Australia, and New South Wales recorded some of the highest rises.
In addition to knives and blades, other weapons involved in retail crime include hammers, scissors, needles, and firearms, varying by region.
The growing use of weapons in retail theft and violence points to a concerning shift in criminal behaviour that requires urgent attention from law enforcement and government authorities.
The escalation of weapon-related retail crime poses significant challenges to the safety and security of retail workers and customers throughout Australia.
Stakeholders are urging coordinated action to reduce harm and improve protection measures across the sector.
