Retail theft trends show sharp rise in Australia and decline in UK

Official crime statistics reveal divergent trends in retail theft across different regions. In Ballina Shire, Australia, shoplifting has nearly doubled over the past year. According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 321 retail theft incidents were recorded in the 12 months leading to June, an 85 per cent increase from 174 the previous year. Ballina’s retail theft rate is now approximately 1.7 times the New South Wales average.

Other crime categories in Ballina also saw increases, including assaults, fraud, and intimidation. Non-domestic violence assaults rose by approximately 20 per cent, while fraud increased by nearly 25 per cent.

In contrast, Devon and Cornwall in the United Kingdom reported a decrease in shoplifting. Recorded offences fell by 9.1 per cent in the year to March 2026, dropping from 11,142 to 10,124. Local authorities in the region are focusing on improving reporting through the UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC) system, an online portal and app designed to help businesses share intelligence and CCTV footage with police to combat repeat offenders.