By Aaron Cordy
RETAIL theft is not new and has historically been viewed with the unfortunate moniker of a “victimless crime”. With 799 offences recorded in 2025, a decade high for retail theft in Greater Shepparton, and reports of thieves becoming more aggressive with local businesses as they brazenly steal, local businesses have had enough of being that victim.
Sick of the theft and afraid for themselves and their staff, local businesses have been calling for the Shepparton Police to tackle the issue.
A new retail theft team named Securus has hit the streets in Shepparton to target prolific and aggressive retail thieves. The dedicated team of police are working daily with major and independent retailers to investigate and hold to account retail thieves.
“The Operation Securus team are a dedicated team of members that will be working on retail crime. The team will be responding to reports, investigating, conducting investigations, and actively patrolling the retail area within the Shepparton area,” said Shepparton Acting Superintendent Anna Parkinson.
“Our police will also be using an online forum in conjunction with the retailers to gain real-time intelligence to help us with our investigations. The operation will be targeting repeat retail crime offenders that also exhibit aggressive and violent behaviour towards the retail workers.
“As you can appreciate, this type of offending will not be tolerated, and you will be identified, and you will be held to account because everyone deserves to come to work and be safe and secure in their workplaces.
“Shepparton over the last few years has seen a substantial increase in retail crime, but more alarming over the last 12 months, it’s that escalation in behaviour of those offenders that has led us to have a dedicated team to deal with this type of offending retail crimes.”
Local retailers welcome the initiative, which has placed a greater strain on an already tough economy in which to make a living.
“Obviously, it’s been an ongoing issue for some time, but the escalation in violence is becoming more prevalent. So, we’re really pleased with this initiative, and to be able to work together with Victoria Police to ensure that not only our members, but the wider parts of Greater Shepparton will be looked after,” said Vice President of GSBN Jac McCarty.
“We’re seeing retailers actually having to lock their doors during the day, which is completely unacceptable, and then staff members scared to come to work, so by having a visual presence, particularly in the mall and the CBD areas, we’re hoping that will encourage this behaviour to decrease and give confidence to the retailers that they are being looked after.”
Police intelligence shows repeat offenders have committed more than 70 per cent of all retail thefts in Shepparton this year. It will focus initially on the Shepparton CBD before expanding to the Tatura and Mooroopna areas.
As part of the Greater Shepparton response to the issue, local business owners and managers are invited to attend an upcoming Retail Crime Forum on Thursday, May 21, at La Trobe University’s Shepparton Campus, at 210 Fryers Street, Shepparton, from 6pm. Please RSVP via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shepparton-retail-crime-forum-tickets-1988811776561
