The Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) on retail crime has named its members, which will help develop policies aimed at empowering the retail sector to combat retail crimes.

The MAG’s first priorities are to reinforce security guards to deal with retail offenders, enable the use of facial recognition technology, and allow retail business owners to deal with shoplifters.

The MAG has named Sunny Kaushal, former Dairy and Business Owners Group chairperson and Crime Prevention Group president, as chair.

Moreover, the group appointed as members Michael Hill’s national retail manager Michael Bell; Waikato community advocate and business leader Ash Parmar; Foodstuffs’ North Island retail and property GM Lindsay Rowles; and Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young.

“New Zealand has seen an exponential growth in retail crime over the past five years, with an 86 per cent increase in retail crime of all types and, very concerningly, a 72 per cent increase in sexual assault-related offences at retail locations,” said Paul Goldsmith, Justice Minister.

“We are committed to ensuring there are 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime by 2029 and reducing serious repeat youth offending by 15 percent.”

In July, the New Zealand government announced the establishment of the MAG on retail crime as part of its efforts to restore law and order.