Crime

Rise in Welsh shoplifting sparks union concern for retail staff safety

Published

5 months ago

July 24, 2025

Retail union Usdaw calls for urgent action as shoplifting rises across Wales

SHOPLIFTING across Wales has risen again, prompting fresh concern from retail trade union Usdaw over the growing risks to shop workers.

Figures released today (July 24) by the Office for National Statistics show a 3% rise in police-recorded shoplifting incidents across Wales in the year to March 2025. While Dyfed-Powys and North and South Wales police areas saw slight decreases (-1%, -2%, and -2% respectively), Gwent reported a 27% surge in offences.

The trend reflects a broader national picture, with shoplifting offences in England and Wales having more than doubled since the pandemic—rising from 228,250 in the year to March 2021 to 530,643 by March this year, including a 20% rise in the last 12 months alone.

Usdaw’s annual survey of nearly 9,500 retail workers found that:

77% experienced verbal abuse;
53% were threatened;
10% were assaulted.

Two-thirds of those surveyed said incidents of violence, threats or abuse were linked to theft or attempted theft.

Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis said:

“The scale of the epidemic of retail crime in Wales is laid bare in these shocking police-recorded statistics and Usdaw’s own survey.

“Far from being a victimless crime, shoplifting is increasingly carried out by organised criminal gangs using weapons and violence to intimidate staff. Retail workers are suffering from anxiety, fear, and physical harm.

“We welcome progress on the Crime and Policing Bill, which includes key protections for shop workers. We now urgently need to see an end to the £200 prosecution threshold, more visible policing in retail areas, and the introduction of Respect Orders to deter repeat offenders.”

Usdaw is calling for swift passage of new legislation in the House of Lords to provide better protection for workers, tougher penalties for persistent offenders, and more uniformed police patrols in shopping areas.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

2 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

2 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

2 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.