The proposal involves the deployment of specially trained security guards with additional powers to manage what are described as ‘high-risk’ situations in retail stores.
This particular policy was described as a preferred alternative to a highly controversial proposal over the past year, which would have seen the encouragement of ‘citizen’s arrests’ as part of the Crimes Amendment Bill.
Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young said this policy could ease the stress on businesses navigating escalating levels of customer aggression.
"Retailers have been struggling to manage the growing level of abuse and violence from customers in their stores,” Young said.
“We support any changes that would provide advanced training to security guards to allow them to appropriately and safely manage these higher-risk situations," Young said.
Retail NZ's Crime Reports, released in 2023 and 2024, found retail crime costs the industry more than $2.5 billion each year. Young added that anecdotal reports from members of Retail NZ suggest that retail crime remains a mounting issue for businesses.
More reading
New Zealand retailers push for cost-of-living measures
Small businesses increasingly struggle to gain traction in New Zealand
Calls to prioritise retail crime prevention in Victoria
Retail industry pushes for faster protection laws
Harsher ram raid penalties start in Victoria