In her CurtinFM interview, Gina Field, operational security expert and founder of Nepean Regional Security, shed light on the alarming rise of organised alcohol theft across Australia. She revealed that alcohol is now the most stolen item nationally, costing retailers around $9 billion annually. Gina described how coordinated gangs overwhelm liquor store staff, often targeting high-value spirits for resale, and warned of a 40% spike in theft in Western Australia alone.
She urged store owners to improve security by redesigning layouts, installing surveillance systems, and prioritising staff safety—particularly as some thieves are armed with knives or machetes. With police resources stretched thin and court systems reportedly lenient, Gina emphasised that many independent retailers are left to bear the financial and operational burden of crime prevention.
Beyond alcohol theft, she discussed broader trends in retail and youth crime, highlighting the surge in unchallenged supermarket thefts, school violence, and youth gang activity in food courts. Gina stressed that offenders are becoming more calculated, even using tools like Google Earth to plan crimes. She called for stronger laws and social responsibility, noting that while technology helps, the human and financial costs of growing retail crime are unsustainable without systemic change.
