Crime Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police have joined forces to launch a new statewide campaign aimed at disrupting retail crime, following continued increases in incidents and growing concern for the safety and wellbeing of retail workers across Victoria. 

The campaign, The Real Cost of Retail Crime, encourages Victorians to report information about crime occurring in retail settings and repeat offenders, while shining a light on the harm experienced by retail frontline workers, businesses, and local communities. 

Recent crime statistics show retail crime remains at record levels. As at March 2026, there were 41,775 retail thefts recorded – a slight increase on 41,756 retail theft offences for the previous year. Theft of alcohol accounts for more than a third of all items stolen from retail stores. 

Police intelligence shows retail crime is increasingly driven by repeat offenders, with 54 per cent of offenders responsible for ongoing and organised offending across retail settings. 

Retail environments remain a common location for crime in Victoria, exposing workers — many of whom are young and early in their working lives — to repeated incidents of theft, aggression, intimidation, and violence. 

The new campaign builds on the success of previous Crime Stoppers Victoria retail crime initiatives and focuses on two key actions: improving crime reporting and increasing community awareness of the true impact of retail crime. Using CCTV imagery and information, the campaign highlights unsolved incidents and persons of interest to prompt public reporting and help police investigations. 

Crime Stoppers Victoria Chief Executive Officer Stella Smith said retail crime continues to be underestimated, despite its serious and lasting impact. 

“Retail crime deeply affects victims,” Ms Smith said. “Behind every theft are workers and customers who may experience fear, abuse, and repeated exposure to harm. 

“Retail workers have a right to feel safe at work, just as customers have a right to feel safe in the places they shop,” she said. “Persistent and repeat offending causes significant harm and should not be accepted.” 

Ms Smith said community reporting plays a critical role in preventing harm. 

“The information provided by the community is essential to helping police identify repeat offenders and stop criminal behaviour,” she said.  

“Everyone has a role to play. Crime Stoppers gives Victorians a safe and anonymous way to speak up and help protect retail workers and the wider community.” 

Victoria Police Commander Melissa Webbers said retail theft is often mistakenly dismissed as low-level offending, despite the harm it causes. 

“Retail crime is not a victimless crime. It affects the worker behind the counter, the business owner trying to make a living and ultimately every member of the community who pays the price,” she said. 

“No one should feel unsafe, face intimidation, threats or violence simply because they are at work or doing their shopping. 

“We are targeting retail crime head-on with several dedicated police teams working daily with retailers across Melbourne and throughout regional Victoria to identify and hold offenders to account.  

“The community can help us with this important work by reporting what they know to Crime Stoppers,” she said. “If you see something, say something.” 

The Real Cost of Retail Crime campaign encourages Victorians to remain alert, recognise suspicious behaviour and report information that may assist police in preventing repeat offending and escalation into more serious crime.