A statewide Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Committee for Melbourne survey has revealed the scale and severity of crime and antisocial behaviour now impacting businesses across Victoria, with 92 percent of employers revealing that concern for staff safety has increased.
The Community Safety and Business Impacts Survey, completed by more than 1,400 businesses from a diverse cross-section of industries, locations and business sizes, shows widespread concern with nearly half of all businesses (49 per cent) saying safety and antisocial behaviour have worsened in the past year.
These incidents are not isolated, with 15 per cent of businesses dealing with issues daily, and another 35 percent weekly. The most frequently observed incidents include:
- Vandalism, graffiti and property damage
- Drug-affected behaviour and rough sleeping
- Customer aggression and threatening conduct
- Family violence incidents occurring on or near business premises and
- Break-ins, burglaries and physical assault.
Beyond the direct incidents, businesses highlighted a heavy toll on their people. Employers reported rising staff stress and anxiety, mental health leave, workplace injuries, heightened fear, WorkCover claims and concern for overall wellbeing.
Seventy-four per cent of respondents said safety and crime issues have directly influenced major business decisions - including investment in additional security, altering staff rosters, reducing trading hours, hesitating on expansion plans, considering relocation, or managing staff resignations driven by safety fears.
Businesses stressed they now have to manage issues they are not trained or equipped to handle - including customer aggression, drug-affected behaviour and even family violence situations unfolding in the workplace.
The economic impact of crime is profound and rising:
- 30 per cent of businesses estimated direct costs of up to $10,000
- 22 per cent have reported losses between $10,000–$50,000
- Ten per cent put the financial hit between $50,000–$100,000
- Eight per cent said costs now exceed $100,000
Businesses identified a strong need for a coordinated, statewide approach combining prevention, early intervention and stronger tertiary responses.
While some respondents called for tougher penalties and increased police presence, many emphasised practical, lower-cost safety improvements such as:
- Security partnerships within business precincts
- Neighbourhood-watch style policing and WhatsApp call-out groups
- Increased visibility of community policing
- Improved lighting and safer streetscapes and
- More structured engagement between police, councils, traders and shopping centres.
A significant proportion of concerns are tied to mental health – among both offenders and staff managing frontline aggression.
Respondents stressed that crime and antisocial behaviour now affect all sectors - from hospitality and retail to professional services, manufacturing, healthcare and regional industries. Staff safety, business continuity and financial stability are all under pressure.
While the State Government has made several recent announcements, many businesses reported that implementation on the ground has been slow, and that short-term measures - such as temporary PSO deployments - are unlikely to address long-standing problems.
Victorian businesses are clear: they need meaningful, sustained action, not temporary reassurance.
To be attributed to Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive, Sally Curtain:
“This survey makes one thing unmistakably clear: crime and antisocial behaviour are now major economic issues for Victoria, not just law-and-order issues. Businesses cannot grow, invest or employ with confidence when they fear for their team’s safety and operating costs are rising because of crime.
“We need long-term, coordinated solutions that strengthen safety, support frontline workers and create an environment where businesses can thrive.”
To be attributed to Committee for Melbourne Chief Executive, Scott Veenker:
“Melbourne’s businesses - from the CBD to the suburbs and across Regional Victoria - are telling us they are under growing pressure. At a time when Victorian businesses are already navigating rising operating costs, labour shortages, tax pressures and fragile confidence, crime is compounding an already difficult environment. Safety is fundamental to a vibrant city and a strong economy.
“We urge all levels of government to work together with business on practical, sustained measures that prevent crime, protect workers and restore confidence across our state.”
