Retail theft jumps 39% in Victoria driven by cost of living crisis, say police

Chief commissioner says force will continue focus on youth offending as crime statistics show 29% increase on previous year

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The cost-of-living crisis is fuelling an increase in retail theft in Victoria, police say, with hardship driving more people into first-time offending.

Retail theft increased last year by 38.7% in the state – growing from 20,309 incidents in 2022 up to 28,174, according to the Crime Statistics Agency.

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