Crime

Shoplifting down across Dyfed-Powys – but union warns many incidents unreported

Published

5 months ago

October 25, 2025

NEW figures show shoplifting offences have fallen sharply across the Dyfed-Powys Police area – but retail union Usdaw has warned the apparent reduction may mask the true scale of retail crime, with many incidents now going unreported.

According to the latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics, recorded shoplifting fell by 14% in Dyfed-Powys in the year to June. Across Wales as a whole, there was a 6% drop, while neighbouring forces saw mixed results – South Wales Police down 11%, Gwent up 2%, and North Wales up 3%.

The figures buck the wider England and Wales trend, where shoplifting has more than doubled since the pandemic, rising from 228,250 incidents in 2021 to 529,994 by June 2025.

However, retail staff and unions warn that the apparent improvement in West Wales could reflect under-reporting rather than a real decline.
Usdaw says many shop workers and store managers no longer bother calling police for smaller thefts, citing low response rates and the £200 prosecution threshold, which often means offenders are not charged. Others deal with incidents internally or through store bans rather than formal reports.

Usdaw General Secretary Joanne Thomas said: “It is welcome that there has been a small decrease in police-recorded shoplifting in Wales, but retail crime remains far too high and has more than doubled since the pandemic. Our survey shows this is not a victimless crime — repeated and persistent thefts can lead to anxiety, fear, and even physical harm for retail workers.

“We’ve campaigned with many retailers for tougher measures, and we’re pleased that the Government’s new Crime and Policing Bill is progressing through Parliament. We now need that legislation to deliver real protection for shop workers, end the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, and provide funding for more uniformed police patrols in shopping areas.”

Usdaw’s latest survey of 9,500 retail staff found that 77% had experienced verbal abuse, 53% had been threatened, and 10% had been assaulted in the past year. Two-thirds said those incidents were triggered by shop theft or armed robbery.

The union will release new interim figures from its ongoing research during Respect for Shopworkers Week, which runs from 10–16 November.

Usdaw represents around 360,000 members, mostly in retail, and runs the long-standing Freedom from Fear campaign aimed at tackling violence and abuse against shop staff.

Crime

Man bailed after serious assault in Fishguard town centre

Published

13 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Fishguard that has left a man in hospital.

The incident happened on Main Street at around 11:00pm on Saturday (Mar 21), when the victim was reportedly punched, sustaining head injuries. He remains in hospital receiving treatment.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have information that could assist the investigation, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference: 26*227686.

Information can be provided online via the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], by calling 101, or by sending a direct message on social media.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Police seize off-road bike after anti-social driving complaints in Hakin

Published

15 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

OFFICERS from Milford Haven and Neyland Police have seized an off-road bike following multiple reports of reckless and anti-social driving in the Hakin area.

Members of the public raised concerns about the manner in which the bike was being ridden, prompting police action. The vehicle was seized yesterday (Tuesday) as part of efforts to address ongoing issues linked to illegal off-road biking.

Police have reminded residents that such bikes are not road legal and must only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission.

Officers are urging the public to continue reporting incidents and sharing information to help tackle the problem in local communities.

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, via email at [email protected], or by calling 101.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Milford roofer fined after abusive call to rival firm

Published

17 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

56-year-old admitted making threats and using offensive language in business dispute

A MILFORD HAVEN roofer has been fined after making an abusive and threatening phone call to a rival company.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that on Sunday (Feb 2), John Fitzgerald, 56, made a single phone call to a competing roofing business.

“During the course of the phone call, threats were made to the other company’s boss,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James.

“The reason for the threats was that the defendant believes this other company is taking business away from him. The lady who took the call felt alarmed and distressed as he used foul language towards her.”

The court heard the victim contacted police following the incident but chose not to provide a victim impact statement and did not seek a restraining order.

“When he was spoken to by officers he said he’d been a d***,” added Nia James.

“He said he’d had a couple of beers and was getting wound up, as he was fed up with them nicking his work. But it was just one phone call.”

Representing Fitzgerald, Fenn Richards said he accepted his wrongdoing.

“He accepts wrongdoing as he’d had a few too many drinks, he made the phone call, and people were winding him up,” she said.

“The defendant has been in the roofing trade since he was 14, and he believed this person had set up a new business and was taking business away from him. But he didn’t mean any harm by it.”

Fitzgerald, of Elm Lane, Milford Haven, was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £32 surcharge.