NSW Police to restrict repeat, violent offenders from retail stores

NSW Police will restrict violent or repeat offenders from entering retail premises as it cracks down on an increase in attacks on store workers ahead of the Christmas period.

Workers have described harsh treatment of retail staff in some of Sydney’s busiest stores and incidents of “hitting and screaming” in front of workers as young as 15.

Commissioner Mal Lanyon said retail theft has increased by 40 percent in the past two years despite tough new laws coming into effect in 2023.

Under the NSW government’s Retail Crime Strategy, Mr Lanyon said police would focus on cracking down on retail offenders who become violent or reoffend.

Under a location order restriction, a person may be prohibited from entering certain retail premises by the court as part of bail conditions or as part of the sentence.

“Restraining orders are designed to restrict behavior,” Mr. Lanyon said.

“If there is someone who is going to pose a continuing risk to retail workers, retail stores over a period of time or through violence, we will get an injunction.”

Anyone found to be in breach of a location order restriction could face up to 12 months in prison.

Store Distributor and Allied Employees Association (SDA) NSW secretary Bernie Smith said 10 per cent of criminals were responsible for 60 per cent of retail crime.

“So space restrictions, restrictions that ban criminals, will go a long way to keeping our members safe in the workplace,” he said.

He praised the ACT for also taking on retail ban orders and said South Australia and Western Australia would follow suit.

Mr Smith said Victoria had yet to adopt location restriction laws despite having some of the highest crime rates.

“They (the Victorian SDA branch) are in discussions with retailers about the situation in Victoria,” he said.

“I hope we see significant movement there. It needs to change.”

Mr Smith welcomed the commitment to high-visibility security measures and said he would work with the Shopping Center Council to ensure free, safe parking.

The council was consulted along with the SDA, the Australian Retailers Association and the National Retailers Association in designing NSW Police’s retail strategy.

As part of the strategy, police will carry out high-visibility operations, including knife sweeps, in retail areas.

Police will also launch Operation Percentage statewide, having conducted the operation in the Central Metropolitan Area since August 2024.

Since its launch, 1,080 people have been charged with more than 1,395 crimes.

A further 100 people have been charged with 230 offenses since the law, which specifically targets attacks on retail workers, comes into force in 2023.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley said crime against retail workers was a “global problem” affecting all jurisdictions in Australia.

“It is completely disgusting that retail workers go to work to do their jobs and are attacked in this way,” he said.

“This behavior will not be tolerated by the government and this behavior will not be tolerated by the NSW Police.”

15-year-old retail workers abused

Christine has worked in retail for more than 40 years and says two weeks ago she had one of the worst experiences she’s ever had with a customer.

Addressing the media on Friday, Christine said it was “absolutely horrific.”

“We had a customer who did not leave the store, it was 18.20. We were closing. We politely asked him to leave,” he said.

“He came to the front of the store, swearing and with a foul mouth.

“The abuse he put us through was some of the worst I have ever experienced.”

Christine said the man threw things at them and continued until he made a group of 15-year-olds cry.

“These are 15-16 year old kids. This is their first job and this is what they experience,” he said.

He said the man threatened him, saying he would return.

After being escorted out of the store, he broke down the door “banging, screaming” and swearing.

Christine said the police were called and a report was made.

Australian Retailers Association chief executive Chris Rodwell said retail crime was at “crisis point” across the country.

“There were more than 800,000 incidents of retail crime last year. This is completely unacceptable,” he said.

Woolworths said acts of violence against its employees rose by nearly 35 per cent last year.