Victoria increases retail crime crackdown with 150 new officers

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has announced an escalation in the state’s crackdown on retail crime, including the appointment of 150 additional Protective Services Officers (PSOs). These officers will be deployed to major shopping centres and retail hubs to combat rising crime rates.

The initiative is part of Operation Pulse, a program launched in December 2025 that has resulted in over 1,700 arrests and approximately 3,500 charges. While the Shopping Centre Council of Australia described the move as “decisive and welcome progress,” industry leaders note that stalking, harassment, and threatening behaviors increased by 10.1 percent in the year ending March 2026.

The Australian Retail Council (ARC) reported that Victoria experiences roughly 100 violent retail crime events daily. ARC CEO Chris Rodwell has called for a permanent, statewide retail crime taskforce similar to those in New South Wales and South Australia to target repeat offenders.