The expanded citizen’s arrest provisions have passed into law, ringing alarm bells among retailers as they fear the move will increase the risks for both staff and customers.

The expansion of citizen’s arrest laws will allow any person to restrain someone they believe has committed any offence against the Crimes Act, no matter the scale of the offence, nor the age of the person. 

Retail NZ has advocated strongly against the new legislation, saying that it would put retail staff and customers at greater risk of harm.

“Retail NZ, along with the Police Association and Business NZ, were unequivocal when we submitted to Parliament that allowing citizen’s arrest dramatically increases the likelihood of serious injury, and even death,” said Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young.

“Having untrained people attempting to arrest and restrain others risks escalating already heightened situations and may encourage offenders to proactively arm up further with weapons.”

While Retail NZ members say they will prohibit their staff from undertaking citizen’s arrests on their premises, members of the public may still take matters into their own hands.   

“Retailers do not have the skills nor facilities to deal with people who have been subject to a citizen’s arrest,” Young said. “There has also been no guidance issued to help retailers prepare for the law change, which has increased anxieties in the sector even further, especially because police are already so stretched they cannot respond to countless instances of retail crime as it is.” 

Young added that guidance has not been made available with enough time for retailers to prepare for the significant change.

Retail NZ is supporting its members as best it can to prepare for the new legislation, but official direction is still needed.