The National Retail Association (NRA) is calling for additional support, warning that local retailers are isolated amid rising crime. Special advisor Trevor Evans told RagTrader that repeat offenders are responsible for most retail crimes.
“Whilst the vast majority of Australian customers are doing the right thing, we are all paying the costs associated with growing retail crime. Retailers have a duty of care to their workers and customers, which they take very seriously,” Evans said.
“It’s up to governments to ensure laws keep pace with the available technology. Current laws aren’t doing enough to tackle the growing rates of retail crime, leaving retail workers and customers powerless against violent offenders.
"Current laws are also leaving businesses in limbo, when we could be giving them confidence and appropriate guardrails to harness the benefits of new technology.”
The NRA has a four-point action plan to reduce retail crime. Central to the plan is using emerging technologies, including facial recognition technology and artificial intelligence. In recent weeks, several incidents involving jewellery retailers have made headlines.
Among them were a robbery in Queensland, which was foiled by barbers from a nearby business, and a dramatic smash-and-grab in Victoria, which prompted a store owner to call for harsher penalties.
The NRA was one of several organisations representing the Australian retail industry that launched a new anti-violence marketing campaign earlier this month.
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