Geraldton police respond to Rigters’ call for retail forums to help address shoplifting scourge

Police say they hope to resurrect regular retailer forums, allowing for better communication between stores, after Rigters Supermarket Group called on leaders to find solutions to the shoplifting crisis.

The call to action came after Rigters began enforcing a discretionary ban against unsupervised under-16s from entering its stores after 6pm — a move which generated national headlines this week.

The long-running chain says it was forced to take that measure after seeing worsening shoplifting and staff abuse, and suffering estimated annual losses of up to $150,000 in stolen stock across six IGA and Cellarbrations stores.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn sympathised with businesses and said shoplifting was an “ongoing scourge that is increasing in our region and beyond”.

“I feel sorry that businesses have to take such steps to fill the void of poor parenting. I also feel for the staff who have to enact these measures who will no doubt be abused by youths who are rightly refused,” he said.

Mr Van Styn said some law-abiding youths might be affected by these measures but he understood why the measures had been put in place.

“Sadly much of it is to get food or a treat as parents don’t provide for their children,” he said. “As a security company owner myself, we see and hear of poor behaviour by ‘untouchable’ youths on a daily basis.”

Police have also carried out high-visibility patrols, including a mobile police facility, at shopping centres and supermarkets around Geraldton, and said they would continue the operation until a reduction in stealing offences occurred.

Rigters Supermarket Group general manager Kyme Rigter said there needed to be more pressure placed on the State Government to come up with strategies for store owners, saying he had met with Member for Geraldton Lara Dalton several times to voice his concerns.

“We have suggested an easier incident reporting system as we believe like us, other retailers in town are not reporting the actual number of incidents, which in turn is not a true reflection of the current environment,” he said.

“We have also suggested a local retailers’ forum at which retailers, police and local government are present.”

Ms Dalton said there were plenty of funds allocated to projects and it was an issue people on the ground should address.

“The McGowan Government has invested in several programs to support youth in the region, but families and communities need to work together to address these issues,” she said.

Ms Dalton said she understood the Rigters chain was implementing its own measures to ensure the safety of staff and combat shoplifting.

“Geraldton has a significant police presence, and our local officers do a wonderful job,” she said. “Working to prevent youth crime is just one element of what they are doing to keep our community safe.”

Opposition Leader Shane Love said it was important to know as a small business that community leaders were taking the issue seriously.

“I understand that these business owners have met with Geraldton MP Lara Dalton, and she needs to ensure that she is advocating for and obtaining viable solutions for local business owners,” he said.

“Small business owners experience a range of pressures, and for them to have to take on the policing of theft and enforcing restrictions to combat theft places them under further stress.”

Geraldton police officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Chris Martin said police had met with IGA managers to discuss the return of regular retail forums for better communication in the community.

“We have previously had a retailers’ forum group which met on a regular basis to discuss local concerns, crime prevention strategies, and provide local security advice to those suffering from recidivist offending,” he said.

“I hope to revitalise the group and co-ordinate regular meetings.”