Meat theft has jumped by 85% in the past year, according to new data, costing Australian businesses at least $15 million a day in losses.
The data from retail crime reporting platform Auror shows it’s repeat offenders causing the most harm and loss to Australian retailers by targeting specific products at scale.
Serial offenders are targeting high-value products they can resell for profit, with the data showing the top 10% of offenders are responsible for half of all theft of expensive meat cuts such as lamb and pork, compared to 33% of chicken theft.
“Auror’s global data shows repeat and organised retail crime offenders are four times more likely to be threatening or violent, which is why retailers need to connect the dots on offending by reporting all instances of crime,” says Auror co-founder and CEO Phil Thomson.
“This will enable retailers and police to identify the 10% of individuals causing 60% of violence and loss – to reduce their impact on retailers and protect their team members and customers.”