As Australian retailers manage the risk of high levels of violence and aggression directed towards retail workers, police across the country have increased their focus on reducing retail crime and creating safer stores through intelligence-led operations.
From month-long, targeted crackdowns to statewide retail crime strategies, these operations have been driven by structured crime reporting from retailers, particularly through Auror, to focus resources on the top offenders causing the most harm.
The Auror Network of retailers has played a significant role in providing greater visibility of the prolific and organised offenders impacting different stores and retailers across the community. The Network has helped surface the problem of retail crime not only in the capital cities, but in regional areas where the impact is just as significant, but may have been previously underserved.
Shepparton, Victoria: Targeting aggressive offenders in regional Australia
Launched in May 2026, Operation Securus targets violent, aggressive, and intimidating behaviour in stores in the regional city of Shepparton, Victoria.
Auror data shows that there are almost two violent or threatening events in retail stores every day in Shepparton.
In just four months, the operation saw:
- 530+ charges
- 120+ arrests
- AU$45K+ allegedly stolen goods, most of which have been returned
- 24% less loss recorded in Auror since the operation commenced.
In one case, the offender filled their trolley with $800+ worth of products and tried to leave without paying. Police recovered most of the stolen items and charged that person with theft. In another case, police executed a search warrant and charged an offender who became abusive and threatening towards retail staff.
Auror VP Global Law Enforcement Partnerships Nick McDonnell said, “We’re helping retailers support policing operations around the world — in London, across Australia — and to have a regional centre like Shepparton utilising technology where retailers and police are collaborating is fantastic.”
The operation continues with a highly visible uniformed presence in Shepparton’s central business district and retail precincts.
New South Wales: Statewide strategy built on retailer network collaboration
After a successful launch in the New South Wales Central Metropolitan Region in 2024, Operation Percentile expanded state-wide in October 2025 to prevent stock loss, protect retail workers and customers, and discourage anti-social behavior.
Since the initiative kicked off, more than 2070 people have been charged with more than 3900 offences linked to $1.35 million in stolen products.
Just last month, police worked with retailers across major shopping centres and retail precincts in a three-day crackdown on Sydney’s North Shore focusing primarily on shoplifting. Ten people were charged and another 16 were issued with Criminal Infringement Notices.
The operation has been highly commended at the Australian Fraud Awards in 2026 and won the Law Enforcement Impact award at the 2026 Auror Connect Australia Supreme Hero Awards.
Victoria: Visible policing in shopping centres to keep workers and shoppers safe
Police in Victoria launched a 90-day trial of Operation Pulse across major Melbourne shopping centres late last year. It focused on protecting workers and shoppers from violence, theft and anti-social activity through high visibility policing paired with both digital and in-person collaboration with retailers. This was so successful it was extended to the end of 2026.
By August, the operation had seized almost 250 weapons, and resulted in 1766 arrests and 3500 charges.
Auror data from retailers in these shopping centres showed one supermarket retailer reported a 27% drop in crime events while another liquor retailer reported an almost 60% reduction in crime events.
Meanwhile, figures from the Shopping Centre Council of Australia for one shopping center showed:
- 84% of customers felt safer while shopping.
- 94% of retail tenants wanted the operation extended.
- A 73% reduction in stock loss in January alone.
- A 50% reduction in serious events involving violence, aggression and weapons in December.
Australian Capital Territory: 515 incidents and 42 arrests in 31 days
Operation RETAIL was a month-long campaign that took place in October 2025 in Canberra involving local police, retailers, security providers, and external agencies. The operation was designed together with retailers as a response to rising thefts, disorderly conduct, and physical and verbal abuse directed at retail staff. The operation was supported by the Auror Network of retailers by bringing them closer to police to focus on the top offenders.
During that month, police responded to 515 incidents across the Territory, including 18 assaults and 250 thefts. As a result of the operation, 42 people were arrested for retail offences and there were over 50 proactive patrols at retail precincts.
Auror VP Global Law Enforcement Partnerships Nick McDonnell said, “The success of Operation RETAIL showed what’s possible when police and retailers work together using technology like Auror to address prolific and violent crime in the community”.
South Australia: From a 12-month trial to permanent operation
Launched in March 2022, Operation Measure was set up to address shoplifting, repeat offenders, and related violence in Adelaide city and metropolitan areas. It was planned as a 12-month operation, but was so successful that it was extended indefinitely in 2024.
The operation has led to thousands of charges so far and the state’s retail crime figures have fallen for a fifth consecutive year, with a 10% drop overall in theft that he attributed to the operation.
Building on the momentum
Despite differing in scope, all these operations share a model of police partnership with retailers and using connected intelligence to focus on repeat and organised offenders. The results show that when police and retailers work together and share intelligence, safer stores become a reality.
Read more about the Auror Network and how it is reducing retail crime and creating safer stores.
