Overview

• Woolworths published a compilation showing staff threatened with knives and assaulted in stores to highlight rising violence.
• The company recorded more than 6,000 violent incidents in 2024, up 26% on 2023, with over half occurring in Victoria.
• The Australian Retailers Association reports steep increases in retail crime, including a 66% rise in weapon‑involved offences, and says knives are the most common weapons.
• Woolworths and industry bodies are urging all states and territories to adopt Workplace Protection Orders, citing 13 ACT orders that they say cut repeat offending by 99%.
• Retailers also want online platforms for non‑urgent reports to tackle under‑reporting, with liquor‑sector surveys finding almost half of workers experience weekly security incidents.