Australia's retail theft capital revealed
New data has revealed Victoria is the retail crime capital of Australia.
Retail theft across Victoria jumped almost 90 per cent last year, according to Victoria's Crime Statistics Agency.
Click through to see which suburbs are driving the surge.
1. Melbourne
Melbourne's CBD is the state's retail theft capital, according to the data.
The City of Melbourne recorded 2244 incidences of retail theft last year, up from 1264 the year before.
Collins Street's luxury Dior store has been the victim of repeat burglaries recently, including on March 6 when the store was rammed and high-end items were stolen.
2. Preston
The northern Melbourne suburb of Preston has the second highest rate of shoplifting in Victoria, according to 2024 data.
There were 814 recorded instances of retail theft in the suburb last year.
In December, AFL legend Saverio Rocca chased down an alleged thief at Northland Shopping Centre, after he caught him taking items from a shop without paying.
3. Dandenong
Dandenong in Melbourne's south-east recorded the third highest number of retail thefts last year.
About 760 alleged offences took place at stores in the suburb, including a shop in Dandenong South, where an estimated $5000 worth of goods were allegedly taken on February 25.
CCTV footage from the RedShed Superstore captured a worker trying to stop the alleged thief from taking chainsaws before escaping in a waiting car.
4. Frankston
According to experts, retail crime is being driven by the cost-of-living crisis and crime syndicates.
Police say repeat offenders are stealing items such as alcohol to sell on the black market, while others are pinching groceries and clothing for themselves.
In Frankston, almost 650 retail thefts were reported last year, which was more than double the 2023 figures.
5. Ringwood
The Crime Statistics Agency recorded 490 cases of retail theft in Ringwood last year.
According to Auror, a crime intelligence software major retailers use to keep track of the number of offences, there has also been a jump in violence toward staff.
6. Geelong
The number of retail thefts in Geelong more than doubled last year.
In 2024, there were at 455 cases of retail crime recorded.
7. Richmond
Shoplifting in Richmond was reported 412 times last year.
Violent, aggressive and intimidating behaviour towards retail staff in the City of Melbourne and City of Yarra, including Richmond, was the focus of a police blitz last year.
The operation saw 478 charges laid and almost $100,000 worth of goods stolen.
8. Malvern East
Malvern East is the eighth most common location in Victoria for shoplifters.
Home to Chadstone Shopping Centre and strips of boutique shops, businesses in Malvern East have reported investing in heightened security to keep their stores safe.
9. Hoppers Crossing
Some 385 retail crimes occurred in Hoppers Crossing last year.
In Victoria, serious behaviour towards staff including physical abuse, violence or the use of weapons has gone up by 38 per cent, according to Auror.
That figure was higher than any other state, followed closely by Western Australia, which saw a 36 per cent spike.
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