|
IN THE MEDIA
Brisbane CBD retailers experience spike in retail crime
|
|
|
Published in Brisbane Times 14 January 2019 by Denesh Adolphus
Inner-city [Brisbane] retailers have reported an almost 40 per cent increase in shoplifting over the holiday period, prompting police to warn business owners to be more proactive in theft deterrence.
According to Queensland Police Service statistics, there were 140 instances last month, up 38.6 per cent from the 101 reported thefts the previous December.
National Retail Association industry policy manager David Stout said retailers were vulnerable to shoplifters around Christmas/New Year's and urged retailers to be more vigilant during the school holidays and to report any acts of theft to the authorities.
“The holidays is a critical time of year for retailers, so it’s important that owners and staff keep careful watch for any possibility of theft or any other forms of suspicious behaviour," he said.
“We strongly urge retailers to report any crimes no matter how big or small to police so that both law enforcement and the industry can get a more accurate reflection of the scope of the issue.”
A Footlocker staff member, who did not want to be named, said the holiday period was one of the shop's busiest, with at least two attempted thefts a week.
“We get a lot of street kids coming into our store and try packing things into their bags or hiding things under their clothes” the employee said.
“We definitely get a lot more incidents around this time of year as we become really busy and people think we aren’t watching or paying attention to what is happening in the store."
The employee said although they were successful in stopping a lot of attempts, they could not stop them all.
“We get quite a few runners where they’ll grab a few things and head straight for the door,” the employee said.
"I think around this time of year, stores just need to be a bit more switched on, especially being in the heart of the city where it can get so busy and stores become full of people.”
A Queensland Police spokesperson said shoplifting accounted for a large percentage of reported annual shop losses.
“To help prevent shoplifting, businesses are urged to educate staff and supply training in loss prevention and business policy and procedure’s which can reduce the theft of goods,” the spokesperson said.
Late last year, Queensland police launched the Brisbane city crowded places team which patrolled high crowded spaces such a Brisbane city with a goal to reduce crime and provide a safer community.
Operating out of the Brisbane city station, the crowded places team employs the use of segways, iLoad vans, an ATV and trail bikes, to enhance their presence and visibility in Brisbane CBD’s crowded places.
The team also works with the bike squad, who already have the ability to be visible and move freely throughout the CBD.
|
|
|
Have you experienced more crime during the holiday period?
|
|
|
|
If you've experienced an increase in crime over the holiday period, or over the past year, we'd love to hear from you. Please take our 2 minute survey to tell us your views...
|
|
About the NRA SafeCity Network
On 1 March 2018, the NRA launched a 12 month trial of the NRA SafeCity Network in Brisbane aimed at increasing collaboration and insight between retailers to reduce retail crime in Brisbane CBD and Fortitude Valley. If the Brisbane trial proves successful, the program may be rolled out nation-wide. Find out more >
This project is supported by Brisbane City Council and received funding from the Commonwealth as part of the Safer Communities Fund.
Have queries? Contact David Stout: d.stout@nra.net.au
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
