The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) have welcomed the Victorian Opposition’s backing of stronger retail crime measures.

The industry bodies have long warned that the state has become a national hot spot for theft and violence.

“Retail crime is at a crisis point in Victoria. Unless we take active measures to address the problem, it will only worsen,” said ARA CEO Chris Rodwell.

He stressed that retailers cannot solve the problem alone and called for “a unified approach from government, police and industry.”

Rodwell commended Opposition Leader Brad Battin for supporting the adoption of Jack’s Law, which gives police in Queensland enhanced powers to search for knives in public places.

Political support is building for beleaguered Victorian retailers

“Bipartisan support is vital and that’s why we commend the ongoing focus on this issue by the Victorian Opposition Leader,” he said

The ARA is urging Victoria to go further by introducing Workplace Protection Orders, already effective in the ACT, and committing to legislation specifically targeting the abuse and assault of retail workers, as seen in South Australia, NSW and WA.

“Sadly, our retail teams are paying the price for the government’s delay,” Rodwell said, citing Auror data that a violent or serious incident occurs every five minutes nationwide.

Victoria accounts for 35 per cent of all cases — 60 per cent more than any other state — with one in ten incidents involving weapons, burglary or physical abuse.

As Channel News has been reporting for many months, repeat offenders are driving much of the problem, with frontline retail workers increasingly bearing the brunt.

The ARA says technology such as body-worn cameras and facial recognition should also be part of the solution.