❓ Provides data on retail crime and assaults on retail workers following the enactment of new laws in WA. The data includes the number of charges, offender demographics, and repeat offending rates.
AnsweredQoN 1521Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Since the enactment of the new retail crime laws (assault retail workers offence) on July 1, 2024: (a) How many individuals have been charged with offences relating to assaults on retail workers under the new provisions; (b) How many individuals have been charged with serial shoplifting offences under the new provisions; (c) How many individuals were charged with offences that carry a maximum penalty of: (i) Up to 2 years' imprisonment (e.g., summary shoplifting charges); (ii) Up to 3 years' imprisonment (e.g., summary assault charges); and (iii) More than 3 years' imprisonment (e.g., indictable assaults on retail workers, aggravated circumstances); (d) How many charges involved aggravating factors (e.g., use of a weapon, being in company); (e) How many charges relating to serial shoplifting offences were laid against repeat offenders; and (f) How many individuals aged 18 years and under have been charged with offences relating to the new provisions?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 February 2026
Responded by
Minister for Police
Response time
2 days
(a-f)
Table 1: Stealing from retail premises (shoplift) offences reported between 01 July 2023 and 31 December 2025
2023-24
33,377
2024-25
29,732
1 July 2025 to 31 December 2025*
11,904
*The period from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2025 shows a 26% decrease in the number of offences compared to the same period in 2023.
Table 2: Number of offenders processed for Stealing from retail premises (shoplift) offences reported between 01 July 2024 and 21 January 2026, by age at date the offence occurred or commenced.
Number of adult offenders
Number of young offenders
Total offenders*
7,390
1,978
9,325
*Where an offender offends either side of their 18 th birthday, they will be counted once in each age group. For this reason, the total offenders is not the sum of adult and young offenders.
Table 3: Number of offenders processed for a Stealing from retail premises (shoplift) offence between 01 July 2024 and 21 January 2026, who had been processed for two or more retail theft offences in the previous 12 months.
Number of offenders*
1,137
*Figure includes adult and young offenders where the offenders was processed with an outcome of “Arrest”, “Summons”, or “Notice to Attend”.
Table 4: Number of individuals charged with Assault on retail workers offence where the charge was created between 01 July 2024 and 21 January 2026, and the associated case or brief has not been deleted.
Number of offenders aged 18 and under on the day the offence occurred or commenced
Total number of offenders
136
567
Table 1: Stealing from retail premises (shoplift) offences reported between 01 July 2023 and 31 December 2025
2023-24
33,377
2024-25
29,732
1 July 2025 to 31 December 2025*
11,904
*The period from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2025 shows a 26% decrease in the number of offences compared to the same period in 2023.
Table 2: Number of offenders processed for Stealing from retail premises (shoplift) offences reported between 01 July 2024 and 21 January 2026, by age at date the offence occurred or commenced.
Number of adult offenders
Number of young offenders
Total offenders*
7,390
1,978
9,325
*Where an offender offends either side of their 18 th birthday, they will be counted once in each age group. For this reason, the total offenders is not the sum of adult and young offenders.
Table 3: Number of offenders processed for a Stealing from retail premises (shoplift) offence between 01 July 2024 and 21 January 2026, who had been processed for two or more retail theft offences in the previous 12 months.
Number of offenders*
1,137
*Figure includes adult and young offenders where the offenders was processed with an outcome of “Arrest”, “Summons”, or “Notice to Attend”.
Table 4: Number of individuals charged with Assault on retail workers offence where the charge was created between 01 July 2024 and 21 January 2026, and the associated case or brief has not been deleted.
Number of offenders aged 18 and under on the day the offence occurred or commenced
Total number of offenders
136
567
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