VICTORIAN GANG CRISIS PLAYS OUT AGAIN WITH VIOLENT CONSEQUENCES

July 25, 2018: A gang of opportunistic thugs smashed through the front entry of a service station in Lara this week, terrorising the store operator and making off with stolen tobacco once again. It’s another frightening reminder of the danger convenience store workers confront, according to the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS).
“The seemingly endless string of violent and aggressive robberies targeting convenience stores in Victoria and in almost every case focused on tobacco requires proper consideration from Government, the judiciary and law enforcement authorities,” AACS CEO Jeff Rogut says.
“Criminal gangs are enjoying obscene profits from the sale of illicit or illegal tobacco and the fact these robberies typically single out tobacco products can no longer be ignored.
“Victoria Police can do only so much in seeking to apprehend these criminals when an incident occurs, but we need to look at preventative measures as well. There’s no question that Australia is seen as one of the world’s most lucrative markets for illicit tobacco and the gangs in Victoria especially are proving savvy to this sad state of affairs.
“The regulatory environment governing the sale of legal tobacco, including the huge excise payable by consumers, makes illegal sources ever more tempting as cost of living pressures rise.
“The AACS believes a moratorium on all future legal tobacco excise increases is absolutely essential if we are to at least make a real attempt to cap demand for illicit tobacco. Every time the price of legal tobacco rises, criminals who sell illegal products cash in. It must stop,” he says.
Mr Rogut commended Victoria Police for its recently announced change in policy that will see every petrol theft crime investigated, where previously the burden was on service station operators to prove a crime was committed.
“The change in policy acknowledges the serious nature of petrol theft and as an industry we’re committed to working with Police to ensure offenders are brought to justice,” Mr Rogut says.
“However this is just one stream of criminal offence convenience store owners and operators are routinely falling victim to as the state’s crime crisis spirals out of control.
“The people in our industry deserve to feel safe when they go to work and this means a coordinated effort to curb the illicit tobacco market, starting with the regulatory environment responsible for the spike in demand for illegal products,” he says.
The AACS also calls for tougher sentencing for those caught robbing convenience stores and other small businesses.
Further information:
Jeff Rogut
Chief Executive Officer
Australasian Association of Convenience Stores Ph: +61 (2) 9279 4770
Media enquiries:
Stephen Naylor
Wise McBaron Communication
Ph: +61 467 873 789