The Government has today confirmed the appointment of four members to the Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime.
Justice Minister, Paul Goldsmith said he was delighted to appoint Michael Hill’s national retail manager, Michael Bell, to the group, along with Waikato community advocate and business leader, Ash Parmar, Foodstuffs’ North Island retail and property general manager, Lindsay Rowles, and Chief Executive Officer of Retail NZ, Carolyn Young.
“The group, led by Sunny Kaushal, can now move at pace to table proposed legislation for the Government to consider as part of its plan to restore law and order,” said Minister Goldsmith.
“I’m particularly interested to see some options on how security guards and business owners can better protect themselves.”
He said the Government was committed to ensuring there were 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime by 2029 and a 15% reduction in serious repeat youth offending.
“I am pleased the targeted expression-of-interest process attracted a range of high-calibre individuals who are committed to making New Zealand a safer place for our retailers and their workers,” said Associate Justice Minister, Nicole McKee.
“New Zealand has seen an exponential growth in retail crime over the past five years, with an 86% increase in retail crime of all types and, very concerningly, a 72% increase in sexual assault-related offences at retail locations.
“Around 230,000 New Zealanders work in the retail sector, with increasing numbers experiencing the personal and economic impacts of violent and theft-related crimes,” she said.
