‘Abhorrent’: Retailers’ fear after security guard allegedly assaulted in wild brawl at Bankstown Central shopping centre

A major Australian retail association has expressed its fear for retail staff after a security guard was allegedly assaulted at a shopping centre in Sydney’s southwest.

A wild brawl erupted at Bankstown Central about 1.20pm on Wednesday when a loss prevention officer approached two women about an allegedly stolen item.

The officer was allegedly assaulted by the women.

“Police were told two women allegedly stole from a business before assaulting a loss prevention officer,” a police spokesman said.

Footage of the incident shows two women throwing punches at a man outside Myer.

It appears a man tries to push a woman away then trips to the ground, while another man attempts to restrain one of them.

Another man pushes a baby’s pram out of the way, but one of the women walks after him and takes the pram.

A Myer spokesman praised the security guard.

“We’re grateful for NSW Police and the Bankstown Central security team for their response in attending to an incident outside our store yesterday afternoon,” he said.

The incident comes as retailers report an increase in retail crime such as shoplifting, robbery and vanalism across the country.

There has been a 9.6 per cent increase in Greater Sydney alone.

Theft costs retailers for about $9bn every year, the data found.

A 2018 National Retailers Association report found that 85 per cent of retailers faced verbal abuse from shoppers accused of shoplifting or having their bags checked.

The report found that 41 per cent of retailers experienced physical abuse while trying to check someone’s bag or confronting a shoplifter.

Victoria has also reported a surge in retail theft and violence.

Since 2022, there has been a 34.9 per cent increase in incidents involving stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour across the state.

“Victoria has unfortunately been the national hotspot for retail crime for a number of years, which is why we are so focused on government and police action to protect retail workers and customers,” Australian Retail Council chief executive Chris Rodwell said in March.

“Threats and intimidation against retail workers are rising – off a deplorably high base – and that’s unacceptable.”

Nearly 5000 assaults and related offences were recorded in Victorian retail shops and shopping centres in a single year.

Mr Rodwell said the figure was “abhorrent”.

“It’s obvious more needs to be done,” he said.

In March, the NSW government announced Workplace Protection Orders to target repeat and serious offenders.

Mr Rodwell told NewsWire the ARC welcomed the state government’s move but said the legislation should be rolled out “as soon as possible” to protect retail workers.

“Workplace Protection Orders are about preventing the next incident, not responding after someone has already been assaulted,” he said.

“The NSW Government has committed to introducing them, and we want to see that legislation passed as soon as possible.

“Retail workers deserve the same protections already being rolled out in other states.”

Police arrested two women on Wednesday and charged them with assault occasioning bodily harm while in company.

A 22-year-old woman was also charged with larceny and possession of a prescribed restricted substance.

They are due to face Bankstown Local Court on July 30.