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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Stephanie Convery Inequality reporter

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

Police Victoria Shane Patton Victoria Police
Shane Patton speaking from a lectern
Victoria Police chief commissioner, Shane Patton. The force says the cost of living and high inflation is driving an increase in retail theft. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

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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