THE RETAIL workers’ union Usdaw has criticised opposition parties in the Senedd after Members representing the Conservatives, Reform UK and Plaid Cymru voted against granting legislative consent for the UK Government’s Crime and Policing Bill.

The legislation includes measures aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and violent crime, including the introduction of Respect Orders, tougher penalties for low-value shoplifting and knife crime, and a specific offence covering assaults on retail workers.

Usdaw says it is now seeking clarification on whether the lack of Senedd consent means the measures will apply in Wales once the legislation is passed by the UK Parliament.

Joanne Thomas, general secretary of Usdaw, said: “It is difficult to understand why the main opposition parties in Wales would come together to oppose a new law to protect retail staff in the face of record incidents of shoplifting and very high levels of violence, threats and abuse against shop workers.

“We are now seeking clarification on whether the lack of Senedd consent will mean that these important measures will not apply in Wales when the legislation is passed in the UK Parliament.”

According to official crime statistics, police recorded 11,447 shoplifting offences in Wales in the year to March 2021. The latest figures show that number had risen to 23,009 by September last year.

Usdaw also highlighted findings from its survey of retail workers. Interim results from the union’s 2025 survey, based on 3,271 responses, found that in the previous 12 months 71 per cent of retail staff reported verbal abuse, 48 per cent said they had been threatened and nine per cent said they had been assaulted.

The union said that two-thirds of attacks on retail staff were triggered by incidents of theft or robbery.

Usdaw has campaigned for several years for stronger legal protections for shop workers through its “Freedom from Fear” campaign, which seeks measures to tackle violence, threats and abuse against retail staff.

The Crime and Policing Bill has already passed all stages in the House of Commons and is currently progressing through the House of Lords.

Opposition parties in the Senedd have argued that concerns over devolved powers and the legislative consent process influenced their decision not to support the motion.

The outcome has raised questions about how the legislation will apply in Wales once it completes its passage through the UK Parliament.

Labour claims opposition blocked protections for workers and tougher action on violence

PLAID CYMRU has come under criticism from Welsh Labour after voting against a motion supporting UK legislation aimed at strengthening protections for workers and tackling crime.

Members of the Senedd debated a Legislative Consent Motion relating to the UK Government’s Crime and Policing Bill on Tuesday (Mar 10). The bill includes measures intended to strengthen action against anti-social behaviour, knife crime, and violence against women and girls, as well as providing additional protections for retail and emergency workers.

Welsh Labour MSs voted in favour of the motion, while Plaid Cymru, the Conservatives, and Reform UK members opposed it.

The proposed legislation includes provisions to increase protections for shop workers and emergency staff from assault, strengthen powers to tackle anti-social behaviour and serious violence, address knife and drug-related crime, and improve safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults.

Welsh Labour politician Huw Irranca-Davies MS, who is standing as a candidate for Afan Ogwr Rhondda, criticised Plaid Cymru’s decision.

He said: “Plaid teamed up with the Tories and Reform to block this bill. They voted against stronger protections for retail workers, emergency workers, and vulnerable people in our communities.

“When there was a choice to vote to make Wales a safer place, Plaid and the other opposition voted against it. When there was a choice between backing tougher action on crime and creating a constitutional row, Plaid chose the row. Welsh Labour chose to back stronger protections and safer communities.”

He added that the vote showed what a Plaid-led government might prioritise.

“This shows exactly what a Plaid-led government would look like — putting political arguments ahead of practical action to keep people safe,” he said.

However, opposition parties have previously argued that votes against Legislative Consent Motions do not necessarily reflect opposition to the policy itself, but rather concerns about Westminster legislating in areas that overlap with devolved powers.

Plaid Cymru has often taken the position that Welsh laws affecting devolved matters should be made in the Senedd rather than by the UK Parliament.

The Crime and Policing Bill continues its passage through the UK Parliament.

Deadline approaching for Pembrokeshire residents ahead of Wales-wide poll

PEMBROKESHIRE residents are being urged to make sure they are registered to vote ahead of the upcoming Senedd election.

Voters across Wales will go to the polls on Thursday (May 7) to elect 96 Members of the Senedd who will represent constituencies across the country.

The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday (Apr 20). Residents can register online in just a few minutes at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Anyone aged sixteen or over and living in Wales is eligible to register.

Changes to constituency boundaries mean there will now be sixteen constituencies across Wales instead of forty. Pembrokeshire will form part of the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency alongside neighbouring Ceredigion.

Those wishing to vote by post or by postal proxy must apply by 5:00pm on Tuesday (Apr 21). The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5:00pm on Tuesday (Apr 28).

Pembrokeshire County Council Chief Executive and Deputy Constituency Returning Officer, Will Bramble said: “It is really important that everyone who is eligible to vote is able to do so. Registering to vote ensures you can have your voice heard at the upcoming Senedd election.”

Further information about voting in Pembrokeshire can be found on the council’s elections page at:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/elections-and-voting

A new voter information website, vote.wales, has also been launched by the Electoral Management Board for Wales, part of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru, providing guidance and details about the election.