NRA SafeCity Network Crime Bulletin

BRISBANE CRIME BULLETIN
5 July 2019

The following trends in retail crime have been witnessed by Brisbane retailers over the past few weeks, as relayed across the NRA SafeCity Network.

Thank you to all of the retailers reporting these crimes and trends.
The more we all report, the more we all know.

Products being targeted

Lighters
Batteries
Glue
Perfume
Skateboards
T-shirts
Vintage Jackets
Pies
Energy Drinks

Canned pre-mix alcoholic beverages
Phones
Medication
Sunglasses
Cigarettes
Designer clothing
Items located at the front of the store

Criminal Behaviour

Retail theft

Reports of an individual stealing items from a convenience store, then coming back to the store to return the item for cash.
Reports of a female hiding 10 pairs of sunglasses under her clothing, when the retail assistant approached and stated that the theft had been seen, the offender told him to call the Police. She then proceeded to leave the store standing out the front yelling “Where are your Police?”, before walking off.
Reports of an individual stealing an item from a clothes hanger located on the entrance of the store.
Multiple incidents where individuals are entering stores with a bag that they have purchased/received from another store and stealing items by putting them in them in that bag. They then claim they had brought the items from another store.
On one occasion a retailer asked an individual for a bag check, the customer opened the bag to show an item from another store but when the retailer moved that item off the top he discovered items from his store.Though claiming it had been purchased elsewhere, the unique sale tag of the store was attached.
A male entered an outdoor camping store, the individual spoke to the store assistant asking multiple questions about a $700 camping backpack. The retail assistant had to attend to another customer in the store, he turned around for a brief second before the individual left the store with the backpack. The retail assistant went to chase him outside the store but he had his push bike waiting and made a speedy exit.

Snatch and Runs

A snatch and run theft occurred whilst a NRA representative spoke to a retail manager. An individual proceeded to the counter with a cask of wine and refused to let go when the retail assistant attempted to scan the item. The individual attempted to run from the store but was caught by the manager.
A gentleman has stolen a laptop valued over $1,000 from behind the counter of pawn broker shop.
A pawn broker has had multiple attempts of individuals attempting to steal jewellery by being interested in purchasing the items. The staff are very switched on and refuse to let suspicious individuals try jewellery on.
Individuals are repeatedly stealing items located close to the door from convenience stores, they are quickly entering grabbing whatever they can get their hands on then running down the street.

Suspected Price Swapping

Reports of an individual attempting to swap a price tag on a second-hand $80 fur coat. It is believed that the individual had brought a tagging machine into the store and changed the original tag for a $5 tag from another garment. Fortunately the assistant checked the description on the tag which said "black skirt" and explained that the wrong tag was on the item. The individual then stormed off rudely. The store noted that they have had to change all of their tags to include a description to prevent this type of swapping which was increasingly common.

Suspected Store Casing

An individual entered a jewellery store wearing a ski mask hoodie on. The individual inspected the store and made a voice recording of the stores features. The retailer suspects the individual was casing the store for a future robbery attempt.

Group offending

A group of teenagers entered a discount shop to purchase lighters, however when the assistant refused to sell the individuals lighters they snatched some and ran off.

Aggressive Behaviour

On multiple occasions a retail assistant has received verbal abuse from individuals who don’t have the complete sum of money for an item.
A pharmacist was verbally abused after refusing to dispense an individual’s medication without a script.
A retail assistant in a charity clothing store has been aggressively spoken to regarding the price of items. Some individuals believe that as the clothing is donated it should be given away or severely discounted. .
A volunteer at a second-hand clothing store has been physically assaulted on three different occasions.
A retail assistant has been physically assaulted after a customer suspected that the assistant was laughing at her. The customer approached the retail assistant and punched her in the face multiple times.
A tobacconist has had a lot of encounters with alcohol and drug affected individuals, the store refuses to open outside usual business hours as they fear of what might happen.
Reports of a retail assistant being severely verbally abused. Fearing her safety, she called police.

General Feedback

Retailers are frustrated with the judicial system.They believe the penalties for retail crime should be more severe.
Shop lifters are very aware of their rights and the limitations on what retailers can do. This makes it difficult for retailers to prevent retail crime.
Items located close to the door are primary targets for opportunistic thieves.
A shopping centre has cut their centre security due to funding issues, it has greatly affected the businesses in the centre as the crime rate has increased.
Convenience stores experience more aggression from customers on the weekend.
Many retail workers feel unsafe because of the serious drug and alcohol issues in certain areas.

REPORT NOW: Crime Stoppers Retail Hotline 1800 961 969

Have queries? Contact the NRA Policy team: policy@nra.net.au.

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