Retailers have welcomed a police bust of one of Australia’s largest theft syndicates, but warn that shoplifting is rampant without any simple solutions.

Victoria Police on Friday revealed they had arrested 19 people who allegedly shoplifted more than $10 million worth of goods.

The syndicate allegedly targeted major supermarkets, stealing baby formula, medicines, vitamins, skincare products, electric toothbrushes and toiletries.

The Australian Retailers Association said shops were under attack across the nation.

“The number of attacks has intensified this year. Retail crime has been an ongoing challenge for a number of years now,” association chief industry affairs officer Fleur Brown said.

“Victoria is an absolute hotspot.”

Retail theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the state. There have been more than 40,000 offences in the past year, a 38 per cent increase statewide.

The association said 70 per cent of retailers had reported an increase in theft in the past year.

Brown said there was no single solution to the spike in crime.

“Dedicated police resources are a really important part of that recipe,” she said.

“We also would like to see the acceleration of retail crime legislation by the government, using examples of best practice legislation that are working successfully in other jurisdictions.”

Victoria Police said it had charged multiple people in Operation Supernova. Detective Acting Inspector Rachele Ciavarella alleged the syndicate was part of a co-ordinated criminal enterprise profiting from stolen goods.

“Those arrested are predominantly Indian nationals on temporary, student, or bridging visas,” police said.

“They are alleged to be working in a co-ordinated network to supply stolen goods to ‘receivers’, who then on-sell the products to end users for profit.”

The operation to smash the syndicate was led by the Box Hill divisional response unit, in suburban Melbourne. It worked with retailers and the Australian Border Force.

Investigations continue, with further arrests anticipated.

-AAP