Crime Prevention Group President Sunny Kaushal will lead the new group as chair
Retail crime victims are set to get support from a new ministerial advisory group to be established by the coalition government.
The move is in line with a broader initiative to restore law and order, according to Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and 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,” Goldsmith said. “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”.
He indicated that the ministerial advisory group would “engage directly with victims, workers, business owners, retail experts, and advocacy groups over the next two years to provide the government specific proposals to address urgent challenges in retail crime”.
McKee added that the government would run a “targeted expression-of-interest process” in forming a group with the appropriate skills and experience. She confirmed that the group would be chaired by Sunny Kaushal, Dairy & Business Owners Group chair and Crime Prevention Group president.
“This group will help ensure there are 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime by 2029 and reduce serious youth offending by 15%”, McKee said. “I look forward to the insights the advisory group will bring and trust they will provide evidence-backed suggestions and recommendations to support victims and stop offenders".
