Victoria Police are targetting shoplifters across Melbourne and are finding many of the accused thieves are “everyday Australians”.
Police intelligence shows 40 per cent of shoplifters are first-time offenders, with groceries, liquor and clothing being the main items stolen.
Victoria Police Acting Inspector Luke Holmes said it was a whole range of people from all of society that they were now catching shoplifting.
“It’s everyday Australians… It’s mums with kids,” Holmes said.
Melbourne’s CBD recorded the most retail theft in the state, with more than 2000 offences last year.
Greater Geelong follows in second place and Casey in third, with both areas recording more than 1000 offences.
Stonnington and Yarra also top the list of shoplifting hotspots in Melbourne.
Larger retailers are arming themselves with high-tech security but smaller business owners say they are hurting the most.
Police are warning smaller business owners not to take matters into their own hands.
