Small business proprietors in Melbourne express grave concerns as they find themselves increasingly vulnerable to heightened incidents of retail crime. Tim Webbers, proprietor of Smartronic, a mobile phone repair and accessories establishment situated in Lynbrook, located in the southeastern part of the city, recently fell victim to a burglary where an individual clad in a hoodie broke into his store and stole valuables. Frustrated by the ordeal, Webbers lamented, “I’m not inclined towards violence, but given the chance, I would have dealt with the perpetrator swiftly.” He emphasized the financial strain the incident posed on his business, stating, “Our earnings are not substantial here. Sustaining the rent alone is an uphill battle.”
The aftermath of the break-in at Smartronic resulted in damages exceeding $1000. This incident is not isolated, as several other establishments within the Lynbrook Village Shopping Centre have also reported similar occurrences. Afef Borny, the owner of a pizza shop in the same vicinity, remarked, “This level of criminal activity was unheard of in the past.”
Analysis of recent crime statistics in Victoria reveals a significant surge in retail theft, marking a 38 percent increase in 2023, reaching a decade-high. Law enforcement officials estimate that a considerable portion of the offenders are first-time criminals. Professor Gary Mortimer, a retail expert from QUT, attributes this surge to various factors, including the strain of rising living costs. Mortimer stated, “There is an evident correlation between economic pressures and the spike in theft incidents. Retailers are grappling with losses estimated at $9 billion annually, which doesn’t even include the expenses incurred for preventive measures.”
