Community
4 July, 2025
Retail theft a rising concern
THEFT from retail stores across Warrnambool remains a concern for business owners, police and the community.
Data released late last month by the Crime Statistics Agency confirmed a staggering 19.9 per cent increase in overall crime in Warrnambool and, even more alarming, a 126 per cent surge in stealing from a retail store.
These statistics vindicate the terrible environment that the traders have been enduring, according to Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell.
“The surge in crime comes amid growing concerns over anti-social behaviour in the Warrnambool CBD, including aggressive begging, loitering, and public safety incidents that are impacting local businesses and community confidence,” Ms Britnell said.
“These figures confirm what local communities and frontline police officers have been telling me for ages; that crime is out of control and the government is doing nothing to stop it.
“I have spoken to police officers in Warrnambool who are exhausted, burnt out and under pressure.
“They tell me they don’t feel supported by this government who employs them, and that the weakening of laws by Labor is making their job even harder. These officers are doing their very best, but they’re running on empty.”
According to Ms Britnell, there is no deterrent for thieves.
“Offenders know they’ll be released almost immediately; it’s demoralising for police and devastating for victims,” she said.
Speaking in parliament late last month, Ms Britnell said that according to the chief executive officer of the Police Association Wayne Gatt, there are currently more than 800 officers who are injured and on WorkCover.
There are also over 1,100 police vacancies and over 300 expected to retire early this year.
“The state government is pretending there is no problem and it’s a disgrace,” Ms Britnell said.
“This issue is not only in our CBD, the crime statistics also show that the problem is horrifyingly in our homes. The most common location for a crime in Warrnambool is in a house.
“There were 891 criminal incidents in homes in the statistics to the end of March 31. “
She believes community members are growing increasingly anxious, with locals now expressing fear for their safety in their homes.
“I constantly hear from residents who say they’re frightened in their own homes,” she said.
“In the past, people didn’t even lock their doors in our country towns yet now they’re installing security cameras and sensor lights just to feel safe.”
