Gaming retailer EB Games has called for urgent government and police intervention after a repeat offender was allegedly involved in more than 400 incidents of violence, threats and harassment targeting employees across its Victorian stores.

The retailer claims staff have endured repeated assaults, intimidation, sexual threats and property damage despite the individual being banned from its stores.

EB Games managing director Shane Stockwell has written to Victorian Premier Ben Carroll, Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny, Police Minister Paul Edbrooke and Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush, demanding immediate action to protect workers.

In a letter obtained by The Australian, Stockwell detailed a series of disturbing incidents involving employees being punched, grabbed and spat at, alongside threats to kill, sexual harassment, malicious phone calls and a bomb threat.

The individual has also allegedly ignored store bans and arranged for other people to enter stores on his behalf.

The latest reported confrontation occurred on October 28 at Northland Shopping Centre in Preston, where the individual allegedly jumped across a counter, grabbed an employee and spat in their face.

He reportedly attempted to punch the worker, broke their glasses and damaged store displays while two support workers attempted to restrain him.

The incident came just six days after the same person was reportedly taken into custody following an alleged assault on two employees at an EB Games store in Epping.

Stockwell said employees had been instructed to contact emergency services and provide statements whenever incidents occurred, but repeated encounters with the same individual had left staff increasingly frustrated and fearful.

The retailer first contacted senior Victorian authorities on September 30, requesting six measures, including the appointment of a senior police officer to coordinate the response and a meeting within 14 days.

However, Stockwell claims none of those requests had been fulfilled.

“I am writing again, and this time publicly, because in the four weeks since, the violence has continued and none of those actions has been delivered,” he wrote.

The appeal comes amid growing concern about retail crime in Victoria, where businesses have reported increasing threats and violence against frontline employees.

Figures from Victoria’s Crime Statistics Agency show 96,008 offences were recorded at retail locations during the 12 months to June 2026, equivalent to approximately one offence every five-and-a-half minutes.

The figures included 37,398 shoplifting offences and 5,120 assaults, representing an average of 14 assaults at retail locations every day.

Australian Retail Council chief executive Chris Rodwell said the EB Games case highlighted the threat posed by persistent offenders.

According to Rodwell, just 10 per cent of offenders are responsible for 65 per cent of high-harm retail crime in Victoria.

He said workplace protection orders were designed specifically to prevent repeat offenders from returning to stores and threatening employees.

Although Victoria passed legislation introducing the orders in August, the protections are not expected to commence until next year.

Retail industry representatives have criticised the legislation for failing to include urgent interim orders that could provide immediate protection while longer-term applications are considered.

Stockwell warned that the delay leaves EB Games employees exposed to further incidents.

The company said it had previously kept the matter private out of respect for police processes and concern for the wellbeing of affected workers.

However, the continuing incidents have prompted the retailer to publicly demand stronger action.

With Victoria heading to the polls on November 28, retail crime and employee safety are likely to remain prominent issues for businesses seeking greater protection from violent repeat offenders.

For EB Games, the immediate concern is preventing another employee from being injured while the company waits for authorities to respond.