A report released by the Australian Institute of Criminology, "Robbery Against Service Stations and Pharmacies: Recent Trends" has identified service stations as being at increasing risk of robbery compared with other commercial targets. Based on ABS data, it was found that robberies against service stations increased by 214 per cent between 1993 and 2000, compared with 65 per cent for pharmacies and 37 per cent for banks. While one robbery was recorded per 17 service stations in 1994, this jumped to one robbery per six service stations in 1998, reflecting a dramatic increase in risk between 1994 and 1998. The proportion of all robberies which occur at service stations has also been increasing, while the proportion occurring at pharmacies and banks has remained relatively stable. Using data from a national survey of crime against small business, the report indicates that being open 24 hours a day and having an annual turnover greater than $500,000 are significant risk factors for robbery at service stations. The report also highlights recent trends of robbery against pharmacies.
Percentage of all recorded robberies which occur at service stations, pharmacies, banks and residential locations between 1993 and 2000 [see attached PDF for graph]
Source
- Taylor, N. 2002, "Robbery Against Service Stations and Pharmacies: Recent Trends", Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, no. 223, Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra.