NRA SafeCity Network Crime Bulletin

BRISBANE CRIME BULLETIN
19 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
Fragrances
Make-up
Bed linen
Bluetooth/ wireless speakers
Wallets
Bud earphones
Power bank chargers

Dyson vacuum cleaners
Camping knives
North Face Clothing Items
Medication - prescription
Sunglasses
Alcoholic Spirits

Criminal Behaviour

An individual was observed leaving a local grocery store with approximately $1600 worth of food without paying.
Reports of graffiti on the back of a retail building, every time it is cleaned it is re-graffitied within a matter of days.
An individual has been caught at a local grocery store with several meat items hidden in their clothing.
Many retailers are finding empty packets on display in their store after the contents have been stolen.
Reports of an incident where an individual attempted to steal two sets of blinds. He waited until the assistants were serving other customers. He was seen leaving with the blinds and attempts were made to stop him. The blinds were dropped outside a neighbouring store and recovered.
Retailers are reporting that some customers are collecting their prescriptions from the back of the pharmacy and leaving without paying. The business is then passing all details on to the police.

Repeat Offending:

Reports of a middle-aged female repeatedly offending in the store. She has targeted the store on three separate occasions. She was apprehended during her last offence and told never to come back. She has not returned to the store.
A store has had an issue with a repeat offender for the past two years, despite being banned from the store.

Snatch and Runs:

Multiple reports from discount stores, tobacconists and variety stores, of teenagers repeatedly stealing lighters located close to the door. The perpetrators are quickly entering the store, grabbing the lighters and then running out into the shopping complex.

Fraudulent activity:

An individual came into a furniture store, had a look around and left. He later decided he was going to purchase an item and paid over the phone, opting for pick-up from the warehouse. The workers at the warehouse didn’t check the credit card or licence. The credit card was stolen.
Reports from a number of retailers of fake $50 notes being used.
A retail assistant has stated that if a credit card is used face down, without the retailer being able to see the name, they should be suspicious as the card may be stolen.

Robbery:

A safe has been stolen from the back room of retail shop. The assistant suspects it must have been someone with knowledge of the premises as the offenders were quick and knew precisely where it was located.

Aggressive Behaviour

An individual was caught stealing an item, the individual then became verbally abusive towards the retail assistant.
Reports of an incident recently where the retail assistant intercepted an individual attempting to steal an item. This individual became very verbally aggressive toward the assistant making the staff member feel scared and uncomfortable.
Frequent occurrence of drug affected individuals in the store who will occasionally become disruptive.
A retail assistant found an individual who had over dosed on drugs in the car park.
Reports of a repeat customer whom is always aggressive to the staff and other customers in the store. A recent example of her behaviour is a polite elderly gentleman smiling at her and wishing her a good day as he exited the store. The lady turned around abruptly stating "I don’t know you, don’t talk to me".
On a couple of occasions, the manager of a store has had to contact centre security to diffuse situations.
A local charity store stated that the store frequently had individuals who were under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the store. They were often verbally aggressive and used profane language. Staff stayed away from them and hid at the back of the store until the individuals had left.

General Feedback

Retailers have expressed frustration with the penalties for retail theft imposed by judicial systems. They believe the penalties should be more severe.
Retailers are stating that thieves are becoming more brazen and are seemingly very aware of the restrictions that retailers face in preventing crime.
Items located close to the door are primary targets for opportunistic thieves.
A retail assistant has stated that if it weren’t for the centre security personnel, their crime rates would be much higher.
A retail assistant has stated you must be careful not to touch customer credit cards as they might be stolen and you could be leaving your finger print on the stolen item.
A retail assistant feels her job description is more preventing retail theft then selling items.
Retailers are claiming the close proximity to a methadone clinic is the main cause of their issues.
Many retailers in small centres are increasingly frustrated with the increase in management fees but the decrease in services and access to centre managers. Centre managers are often managing multiple sites and seemingly have little time to spend addressing the many issues around theft and security.

REPORT NOW: Crime Stoppers Retail Hotline 1800 961 969

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

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