The Victorian Government has announced a further expansion of its response to retail crime, with more police resources to be deployed across shopping centres and busy suburban retail areas. This is a welcome initiative to improve retail security services in Victoria.
Under the changes announced on 13 August, the Victorian Government has announced funding for an additional 150 Protective Services Officers (PSOs). Victoria Police will also expand Operation Pulse, its high-visibility operation targeting crime in retail areas.
Operation Pulse will be extended until the end of next year, and Victoria Police says the operation will expand from four retail areas to six each day. The operation will also extend beyond major shopping centres into busy suburban shopping strips.
Since it began in December 2025, Operation Pulse has resulted in 1,766 arrests, more than 3,500 charges and the seizure of 248 weapons.
Retail Crime is Changing
The latest measures come as Victorian retailers deal with theft, aggressive behaviour and concerns about the safety of employees and customers.
The Australian Retail Council said 4,823 assault and related offences at Victorian retail locations in the year to March 2026. Stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour at stores and shopping centres also increased by 10.1%.
For retailers and property managers, stock loss is only part of the problem. An incident can put employees and customers at risk, disrupt trading and require staff to manage situations they may not be equipped to handle.
This places more emphasis on how quickly an incident can be identified and what happens next.
The Value of a Visible Security Presence
Victoria Police says the operation relies on a visible police and PSO presence in areas experiencing retail crime. Victoria Police says the approach is designed to deter offending as well as detect crime and apprehend offenders.
There is a similar consideration for individual retail sites.
Security officers can provide a visible deterrent in locations where theft, antisocial behaviour or aggression are recurring problems. They can also give employees a clear point of escalation when an incident occurs.
The appropriate response will depend on the site. A major shopping centre can face very different security issues from a supermarket, standalone retailer or suburban shopping precinct.
Some locations may benefit from security officers during particular trading periods. Others may have gaps in CCTV coverage or need better monitoring and after-hours patrols. In many cases, the first step is to understand where and when incidents are occurring before deciding what additional security is required.
Looking Beyond the Individual Incident
One of the more significant aspects of Operation Pulse is its focus on repeat offending and locations experiencing persistent crime.
That is also useful for businesses reviewing their own security.
Individual incidents can appear unrelated when they are considered in isolation. Incident reports, CCTV footage and staff observations can help identify recurring locations, times and behaviours.
This information can then guide practical decisions. A business may change security coverage during particular trading periods, improve surveillance in a problem area or review how staff escalate incidents.
Security arrangements should also change when the risk changes. A site that has experienced an increase in theft or aggressive behaviour should not assume that measures put in place several years ago remain adequate.
The expansion of Operation Pulse provides a timely reason for Victorian retailers, shopping centre operators and property managers to look at what is happening at their own sites and whether their current security arrangements reflect it.
Matching Security to the Risk
At National Protective Services, we work with clients to understand the risks at each site before recommending a security approach.
That can involve looking at when and where incidents occur, how the site is used, existing security measures and what happens when an incident is detected. The response can then be matched to the site rather than applying the same solution everywhere.
For some retail environments, a visible security officer may be the priority. Others may need stronger CCTV coverage and monitoring, mobile patrols outside trading hours, or better integration between existing security systems and response procedures.
National Protective Services provides both security personnel and electronic security services, which allows us to consider these requirements together. Our services include security officers, mobile patrols and alarm response, CCTV and monitoring, access control and alarm systems.
If you are reviewing security at a retail site or shopping precinct, NPS can assess your current arrangements and help identify where changes may be needed..
Contact us online to discuss your retail security needs, email us at info@natprot.com.au or call 1300 659 800.