The Australian Retail Council (ARC) has welcomed the Victorian government’s recruitment of an additional 150 protective services officers (PSOs), and the extension of Operation Pulse until the end of next year.

ARC CEO Chris Rodwell says the Victorian Premier’s continued focus on retail crime since taking office is welcome, while calling for a permanent statewide response to the crisis.

“More PSOs in shopping precincts and the extension of Operation Pulse are practical and sensible steps that will help protect retail workers and customers,” he says.

In the year to March 2026, Victoria recorded 4823 assault and related offences at retail locations, while stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour in stores and shopping centres increased by 10.1%. Auror data shows there are around 100 violent retail crime events in Victoria every day – more than a third of the national total.

Mr Rodwell says Operation Pulse has proven effective where it operates, however Victoria’s retail crime crisis is statewide and requires a permanent statewide response.

“It’s clear Victoria Police need more resources,” he says.

“We have consistently called for a statewide and permanent retail crime taskforce, like those established in South Australia and NSW, bringing together specialist police, intelligence and retailers to target the repeat offenders responsible for so much serious offending.”

Mr Rodwell also urges Parliament to strengthen workplace protection order (WPO) legislation currently being debated. The current Bill doesn’t provide for urgent interim orders and isn’t due to commence until July 2027.

“Interim orders are critical,” says Mr Rodwell. “Where a known repeat offender poses an immediate risk, there must be a way to keep that person away from workers while a full application is determined through the court process.

“Retail workers should also not have to wait until July next year for these protections.

“Victoria has the most serious retail crime problem in the country. That demands a gold-standard response: permanent statewide policing, strong WPOs with urgent interim protections, and legislation commencing as soon as possible.

“We strongly urge all sides of Parliament to seize this moment and work together to get this right.”