“Know that your time is up, and you will be held to account,” she said.
A new dedicated retail theft team of five will launch operations in Shepparton on May 17, targeting repeat and aggressive offenders who are causing the most harm in the local retail industry.
Named Securus, the operation will see the team working daily with major and independent retailers to identify and investigate retail thieves.
Police intelligence shows that repeat offenders have committed more than 70 per cent of all retail thefts in Shepparton this year.
“For too long retail thieves have been targeting stores, brazenly filling up trollies and taking whatever they like,” Acting Superintendent and Divisional Commander Parkinson said.
“It’s often paired with intimidation and aggression towards retail staff, which is just completely unacceptable.”
Securus aims to build on Operation Mosaic — an ad hoc operation that began in July 2024 — which has seen more than 175 arrests for retail theft and anti-social behaviour.
Recent arrests include:
- A 14-year-old girl, alleged to have thrown glass objects at staff when confronted for stealing from a department store on February 23 and again at a chemist on February 25. She then allegedly threw an open 1.25 litre soft drink bottle at a staff member while leaving a supermarket on March 5. She has been charged with six counts of shop theft, recklessly causing injury and throwing a missile to injure a person, and will appear before a children’s court at a later date.
- A 32-year-old Shepparton man alleged to have stolen more than $5500 of goods, including electronics, a chainsaw, a bike, alcohol and groceries from Shepparton stores between March and May this year, has been charged with 12 counts of shop theft. He will appear before Shepparton Magistrates’ Court in June.
- A 20-year-old man, alleged to have stolen more than $750 of alcohol from bottle shops across Shepparton and Mooroopna between January and March, was charged with 15 counts of shop theft. He was remanded to appear before Shepparton Magistrates’ Court later this month.
The focus comes as retail theft reached decade highs in the Shepparton local government area in 2025, with 799 offences recorded.
Police have been working closely with the Greater Shepparton Business Network to develop their dedicated response.
As part of Securus, police will use an online platform to engage with retailers daily.
It will allow retailers to notify the new team directly when a non-urgent incident occurs.
The notification instantly provides police with important information, such as CCTV and descriptions of offenders.
It also allows retailers to share intelligence that will help police link offenders targeting multiple stores.
“The team will be working daily with local retailers to target recidivist thieves who are not just doing petty thefts, but stealing large amounts of high value goods,” Acting Superintendent and Divisional Commander Parkinson said.
The team will also proactively attend stores to engage with retail staff and deter theft, including independent retailers, who police say are also a priority for Securus.
Securus will be an ongoing operation.
It will first focus on the Shepparton CBD before expanding to Tatura and Mooroopna.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure at work and that’s exactly what Securus is all about,” Acting Superintendent and Divisional Commander Parkinson said.
Anyone with information about retail crime is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
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