Worker safety a focus as Kiwi retailers record rise in weapon-related events

Kiwi retailers saw a 10 per cent jump in the use of weapons in retail crime events last year, putting more frontline workers and customers at risk.

New information from retailers using retail crime reporting software, Auror, showed knife and blade events increased in line with total weapon events, up 10 per cent as well.

While reported serious crime is generally plateauing in New Zealand, crime in retail remains persistently high and is becoming more brazen, more organised, more violent and aggressive.

Retailers recorded a 14 per cent uptick in threatening or intimidating behaviour and an 11 per cent jump in serious or violent behaviour compared to 2023.

Auror CEO and co-founder Phil Thomson said retail crime is brazen, violent and organised, and by having retailer-contributed data, we can see the true scale and impact it’s having on communities.

“The top 10 per cent of offenders caused more than 60 per cent of total harm and loss in New Zealand communities last year,” he said.

“Crime in retail is the highest crime type by volume, so we need to lean into new measures to protect retail workers and unlock more efficiencies for our frontline police.

“Retail crime is a real city killer; it strips the vibrancy from our communities, decimates the high street, puts vulnerable frontline workers and customers at risk and is a drain on precious police resources.”

The data also showed that almost one in every five retail crime events in New Zealand involved violence, including weapons use, intimidation, threats, and abuse.

Knives and blades were the weapons of choice, making up 46 per cent of all events involving weapons.

“New Zealand is not immune to the confronting spikes in violent retail crime we’re seeing overseas - and we need to do everything we can to stay ahead of it. Police do incredible work; the challenge is the volume,” Thomson said.

ShopCare CEO Selena Armstrong said retailers are under immense pressure – not only dealing with persistent crime but also carrying the responsibility of keeping their teams and customers safe.

“ShopCare supports retailers with guidance and training to improve worker safety, and prioritising preventative measures is key – potential weapons should not be easily accessible in store,” she said.

“Providing more certainty around preventative technologies such as the responsible use of facial recognition, is essential to empower stores to stop these incidents before they happen.

“Retail workers should not have to face escalating harm every day.”

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New Zealand retailer data for 2024 (compared to 2023):

The top 10% of offenders were responsible for 60% of total harm and loss across New Zealand last year.

Almost 1 in 5 retail crime events last year involved violence, intimidation, threats, physical or verbal abuse.

Events involving weapons were up 10% last year.

Events involving knives and blades were up by more than 10% last year.

Knives and blades were the top weapons used, making up 46% of all events involving weapons.

Intimidating or threatening events increased by 14% last year.

Violent and serious events increased by 11% last year.

Total recorded retail crimes and in-store events increased by about 3% last year.

_{All data has been entered by retailers using Auror. Data analysis has been controlled to account for Auror’s growth and increase in software engagement over time. Threatening behaviour includes aggression, verbal abuse, erratic or discriminatory harassment. Serious behaviour includes physical abuse, serious aggression, violence or weapons involved.}

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About Auror

Auror is a global software company providing retail crime reporting services to retailers and law enforcement.

The software allows retailers to record retail crime or in-store events after they occur, and report it safely and securely.

This information empowers retailers to make informed decisions to protect their people, customers and property and to more effectively work with law enforcement to address the large scale of retail crime impacting our communities. Auror is not a camera or hardware provider.

Globally, Auror is used by more than 3000 law enforcement agencies and more than 45,000 retail stores across Australia, New Zealand, North America and the United Kingdom.

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About ShopCare

ShopCare is a charitable trust dedicated to enhancing health, safety and wellbeing outcomes for the retail sector and its supply chain in Aotearoa New Zealand.

ShopCare provides free guidance, training, and resources aimed at fostering a safer, healthier  working environment for all kaimahi/workers.

Violence and aggressive behaviour (VAB) is the leading concern ShopCare hears from retailers.

VAB is the second most visited ShopCare webpage (after ACC injury dashboard), with a range of resources and training for supporting retail staff.