Update 23 March: Port Phillip retail theft blitz
Crime across St Kilda’s major high‑street precincts has dropped sharply in recent years, according to latest data released by Inspector Brett Coloe, Port Phillip Local Area Commander, Victoria Police.
A cumulative review of Acland, Carlisle, and Fitzroy streets shows overall offending has fallen 17.6% since 2019, marking one of the strongest declines in the past decade. Acland Street in particular is experiencing its second‑lowest crime levels in ten years, with a 12.9% decrease recorded in 2025.
Crimes against the person – including assaults and robberies – have also seen a dramatic fall on Acland Street. Offending in this category is down 43% in the past year, reaching the third‑lowest point in a decade.
Carlisle Street recorded only 195 criminal incidents across the entire year, averaging less than one incident every two days, underscoring what police describe as a sustained trend of reduced street‑level offending.
Shoplifting Still Driving Crime on Acland Street
Despite the broader drop in crime, shop theft remains a persistent issue. On Acland Street, shopsteal accounts for almost 25% of all recorded crime, and has risen 86% in the past year. Police say regular operations around supermarkets, liquor stores, and clothing retailers will continue as part of their retail theft strategy.
On Carlisle and Fitzroy streets, “theft (other)” remains the most common offence type, often involving items such as wallets or phones being stolen after being left unattended – rather than direct robberies.
Police Maintaining Strong Operational Presence
Inspector Coloe said local police remain committed to reducing crime even further, with ongoing operations targeting drugs, assaults, robberies, and other high‑harm offences across the three precincts.
Victoria Police continue to work closely with the City of Port Phillip, local traders, and community members to ensure resources are directed where they are most needed.
“We have several planned operations on foot and our commitment remains,” Inspector Coloe noted.
Operation Park Supporting Jewish Community Safety
Since the escalation of the Middle East conflict, police have increased proactive patrols under Operation Park across St Kilda and surrounding areas to ensure the safety and confidence of the local Jewish community.
Since October 2023, officers have made almost 14,000 visits to culturally significant locations including synagogues, schools, and community halls. The operation, established more than two years ago to coordinate responses to offences linked to the conflict, has resulted in over 270 arrests.
Source: Local Area Commander Inspector Brett Coloe
Port Phillip wide data from Crime Stats Agency
Port Phillip retail theft blitz
Update: Monday 23 March 2026
Prolific shoplifters are in the sights of Port Phillip police, as officers aim to disrupt a growing trend in retail theft.
Local police intelligence indicates a core group of 11 offenders is allegedly responsible for over 500 shop thefts across Port Phillip in the past year.
This equates to around 40% of all retail theft across South Melbourne, St Kilda, Port Melbourne, and Balaclava.
In the past year, local police have processed 162 shoplifters a combined 788 times.
Overall, retailers have reported the theft of more than $680,000 of stock from predominantly supermarkets and liquor outlets.
Among the most prolific offenders are:
A 50-year-old woman who has allegedly shoplifted from supermarkets and liquor stores 115 times in the past year. These thefts have occurred mostly in Balaclava and almost always involving the theft of alcohol.
A 31-year-old man who has allegedly shoplifted from grocery and liquor stores a total of 50 times in the past four months.
A 30-year-old man who has allegedly stolen predominantly liquor on 44 separate occasions across Port Phillip in the past year.
Police are conducting regular operations targeting shoplifters, as well as engaging with local retailers to reduce their chances of falling victim.
Simple tips for retailers include acknowledging customers as they enter the store and letting them know you are aware they are there; being alert for suspicious behaviour; not leaving cash in unattended registers; and checking bags when people leave the store. CCTV and alarms are also good deterrents.
In a statemen Port Phillip Local Area Commander Inspector Brett Coloe said “We know a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet with a combination of interest rates, rising fuel prices, inflation and general cost-of-living pressures piling up.
“However, stealing is never justifiable, and not only hurts the business but other shoppers as well, often resulting in higher prices at the checkout.
“Repeat thieves are really hurting retailers, with just a handful of prolific shop thieves committing significant financial harm to hardworking businesses.
“These people are in the sights of police, who are working alongside loss prevention officers in ongoing operations in local supermarkets, liquor outlets and clothing stores.
“We know that reported retail theft is only the tip of the iceberg, with police not being made aware of all thefts by retailers.
“We implore businesses to report all incidents of theft to police so we can investigate and hold offenders to account – put simply, we can’t investigate what we don’t know.
“Notifying police may prevent the same offenders from targeting your store again, or someone else’s.”
