Security expert and founder of Nepean Regional Security, Gina Field, recently joined 2GB to declare the current level of violence against retail staff a “national crisis.” Citing alarming figures from Wesfarmers (owners of Bunnings, Kmart, and Target), which reported 13,500 customer threats and over 1,000 physical assaults in the past year, Gina stressed that excuses must stop; this is a serious crime that needs a tough judicial response. The numbers are shocking, with threats of serious harm at Bunnings soaring by 66%. A major concern is that employees checking receipts are unqualified to deal with volatile shoplifters, yet they are the ones facing the physical brunt, especially as retailers cut costs by removing physical security officers.
Gina pointed to the problem of repeat offenders being emboldened by a lax judicial system that often fails to treat shoplifting seriously, resulting in minimal penalties. She advocated for tougher, consistent laws across Australia—like those in Western Australia, which can impose two years imprisonment for repeat offenders—and suggested making parents accountable for their children’s involvement in crime. She warned that relying solely on technology and implementing measures like gates and fences could backfire, potentially increasing aggression towards staff, as seen previously at self-checkouts.
Ultimately, Gina cautioned that the failure to address this crisis will impact every consumer. The cost of new security measures will be passed on through higher prices, and the dangerous working conditions will lead to a decline in retail workers, affecting store hours and services. Gina’s clear message is that the court systems must go “really, really hard” on these offenders to stabilize the retail environment and protect staff.
