Retail workers across Western Australia have been told to keep vigilant watch over their stores, as alarming new statistics expose a dramatic surge in violent shopping centre crime.
Shocking Scale of Retail Violence Revealed
New figures from retail crime intelligence firm Auror paint a disturbing picture of the frontline reality for shop staff. The data shows WA retail employees were subjected to more than 40 violent crimes every single day during the last financial year.
Auror, which is used by major retailers nationwide, recorded over 133,000 retail crime incidents across Australia between June 2024 and July 2025. Of these, more than 15,000 involved weapons or violence against staff.
The analysis further identified that a small group of prolific offenders is responsible for the majority of the harm. The top ten percent of reported offenders caused over sixty percent of the total financial loss and physical harm to stores and their teams. In incidents where weapons were used, knives or blades were involved 42% of the time.
Christmas Crime Surge a Major Concern
Auror's senior director, Nick McDonnell, has issued a stark warning for the busy Christmas holiday shopping period, anticipating a corresponding rise in retail crime. He explained that increased shopper volumes typically lead to increased criminal activity.
"Retail workers are going to be super busy as well — there’s going to be a lot more people in their stores, and they’re going to have to have eyes on everything," McDonnell stated. "It’s going to be a pretty challenging time."
McDonnell emphasised the company's focus is on collaborating with retailers to ensure they have timely and accurate information to help keep their people safe.
Shopping Centres Boost Security Measures
In response to the growing threat, major shopping centre operators are highlighting their security investments. Scentre Group, the owner of Westfield centres, stated that safety is its "highest priority."
A spokesperson said their security strategy is developed in partnership with police and government agencies, involving continuous investment in new technology. One key initiative is a trial with WA Police at Westfield Carousel, involving the installation of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.
These cameras allow for live data sharing with police, helping to identify vehicles linked to persons of interest as they enter the car park.
Similarly, Vicinity Centres, another giant in the industry, said it maintains a comprehensive security framework designed to foster safe environments. A spokesperson acknowledged retail crime and anti-social behaviour as industry-wide challenges but expressed confidence in their proactive approach to identify risks early and respond swiftly.
While not anticipating major incidents, the company confirmed it has clear protocols and management plans in place to minimise disruption and protect the experience for shoppers and staff.
