Citizens' arrests law change sparks safety concerns in retail sector

The Government’s announced it’s giving businesses more power to make ‘citizen’s arrests’. 

Up until now, citizen’s arrests could only happen between 9pm and 6am, for crimes with a maximum punishment of at least three years in prison.   

But the changes mean people can intervene and stop any offence at any time of the day, by using restraints and ‘reasonable’ force.

Retail crime costs New Zealand retailers $2.6 billion each year.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says retail crime rose 85% between 2019 and 2023, including a 91% increase in victimisations relating to theft.

Today on The Front Page, we speak to Retail NZ’s Carolyn Young about the rise of retail crime, and later Labour’s police spokesperson Ginny Andersen, who is criticising the government for the changes.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

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