Business
Shoplifting crisis: National attention on Pembrokeshire’s favourite seaside town
THE PICTURESQUE seaside town of Tenby, known for its golden beaches and bustling tourism industry, is now making headlines for an alarming rise in shoplifting. Once considered a safe haven for holidaymakers and retirees, the town has been grappling with a crime wave that has left local businesses reeling.
Surge in Retail Theft
Tenby business owners have reported a dramatic increase in thefts, with some estimating annual losses of up to £26,000 due to shoplifting. Fiona Malone, co-owner of Tenby Stores and Post Office, noted that the problem has escalated since the COVID-19 pandemic. “When we first moved here, crime was almost non-existent. Now, we’re facing theft on a daily basis, from teenagers to elderly individuals,” she said.
The town’s small independent retailers are among the hardest hit, as they lack the corporate security infrastructure of larger chains. Items such as alcohol, pet food, and high-value goods are frequently targeted. Business owners have been forced to lock away premium stock or remove certain products from shelves altogether to combat the issue.
National crisis reflected locally
According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), shoplifting offences in England and Wales surged by 23% in the year leading up to September 2024, with over 492,000 cases recorded. Tenby has not been spared from this trend, with Dyfed-Powys Police reporting a 12% rise in shoplifting incidents, the highest figure in the region’s recorded history.
The issue has gained national media attention, with coverage from The Express, Wales Online, and The Times highlighting Tenby as a microcosm of a broader crisis gripping UK retailers. The British Retail Consortium recently declared that retail crime has reached “epidemic levels,” warning of the impact on small businesses struggling with theft-related losses.
Business owners fight back
In response, Tenby traders have launched a community-led initiative known as ‘Shop Watch,’ where local businesses share intelligence, photos of offenders, and security advice. Many retailers have also invested in AI-driven surveillance technology, such as x-hopper headsets and security cameras, which automatically detect potential theft and alert staff in real-time.
However, the situation has escalated beyond theft, with reports of shop workers being threatened and even assaulted when confronting criminals. “Vince challenged a thief, and he was punched in the face. The thief actually asked, ‘Why are you stopping me?’ as if it was his right to steal,” Fiona Malone recalled. “Many people think independent shops can absorb the losses like Tesco or Sainsbury’s, but that’s simply not true.”
Calls for stronger policing
Despite increased store security, business owners believe law enforcement needs to take stronger action. While Dyfed-Powys Police have stepped up patrols, retailers argue that shoplifting is not taken seriously enough by the justice system. The Welsh Retail Consortium has called for harsher penalties and a more proactive policing approach, pointing out that Welsh retailers alone lose an estimated £100 million a year to theft.
Sara Jones, head of the consortium, stressed the severity of the issue: “The latest figures show the shocking reality of retail crime and its impact on our communities. The recent UK Government funding of £3 million to tackle retail crime is a start, but much more needs to be done to protect both shop workers and customers.”
Future of retail in Tenby
As the town enters another busy tourist season, business owners remain hopeful but cautious. “We love Tenby. It’s our home, and we want it to be a welcoming place,” said Fiona Malone. “But we also need to protect our livelihoods. Without proper intervention, small businesses will continue to suffer.”
The shoplifting crisis in Tenby reflects a nationwide issue that is forcing independent traders to adapt, invest in security, and call for more robust law enforcement. Whether these efforts will be enough to curb the rising tide of retail crime remains to be seen.
CARDIGAN Curiosities has won the St David’s Day shop window award for the Cardigan division, an accolade presented by Menter Iaith Ceredigion.
High Street businesses and Guildhall shops embraced the festivities, decorating their windows in a vibrant display to celebrate the national day of Wales and the arrival of spring. The event, which highlighted the Welsh language, saw enthusiastic participation from across Ceredigion.
To mark the occasion and show appreciation for the community, Cardigan Curiosities is offering the chance to win an exclusive piece of local artwork. The prize is a one-of-a-kind watercolour painting of the nave of St David’s Cathedral, created by a Pembrokeshire artist. The framed artwork measures 74×95 cm.
To enter the competition, participants must:
- Visit the Cardigan Curiosities Facebook or Instagram page
- Like the competition post
- Comment with their favourite Welsh word
The winner will be drawn on March 20 by “Ddraig Goch” from inside a dragon egg, with the announcement made that evening on social media.
For those interested in viewing the artwork or the decorated shop window, Cardigan Curiosities is located at 32A Cardigan High Street and is open Thursday to Sunday, from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
CREATIVE WEST WALES and Pembrokeshire’s Business Team will join forces at a drop in session this month to celebrate and support the region’s amazing creative industries.
Established companies, freelancers or those considering a new start-up, are invited to visit the Bridge Innovation Centre, Pembroke Dock on Friday, 28th March, 9am to 12pm to find out what business support is available from a range of organisations including Pembrokeshire County Council, Business Wales, FSB and Visit Pembrokeshire.
A networking session will offer a chance to meet fellow creatives, explore potential collaborations, and meet representatives from Yr Egin, Creative Wales and the Creative West Wales Network to find out more about assistance available for talented people in the West Wales area, especially those in the music, screen, gaming, publishing and animation sectors.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Creative Industries Officer Anwen Baldwin said: “There is a wealth of creative talent in this area which should be celebrated and supported.
“We host a popular Business Drop In event on the last Friday of each month. It’s great to be able to focus on the creative industries this month and offer an opportunity to find out more about what support is available, discuss challenges and network with other local people from these sectors.”
If you would like to showcase your work during this event please email anwen.baldwin@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Refreshments available, register via Eventbrite Digwyddiad Galw Heibio i Fusnesau / Drop In Business Support & Networking Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
CELTIC FREEPORT AT MILFORD HAVEN AND PORT TALBOT TO DRIVE UK ECONOMIC GROWTH MISSION
THE CELTIC FREEPORT has been officially launched, bringing significant inward investment to South West Wales and taking a major step towards creating thousands of new jobs, the Welsh Government announced this week.
It also re-affirmed its commitment to £26 million of UK Government investment.
The freeport, covering the ports of Milford Haven and Port Talbot, is set to play a crucial role in the UK’s clean energy future. It spans multiple industries, including clean energy developments, fuel terminals, power generation, heavy engineering, and the steel sector.
Businesses operating within the freeport area will benefit from substantial UK and Welsh Government tax breaks and customs exemptions to encourage investment. The initiative is expected to attract £8.4 billion in private and public investment, generate 11,500 new jobs, and contribute £8.1 billion in economic value (GVA) to the region.
The freeport was launched at an event in Cardiff, attended by Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens and Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning.
“Significant step towards a renewable energy superpower”
Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, said: “This Government has a Plan for Change focused on delivering economic growth and ensuring the UK becomes a renewable energy superpower. This announcement is a significant step towards achieving those ambitions.
“The Celtic Freeport will create up to 11,500 well-paid, highly skilled jobs and could leverage up to £8.4 billion in investment.
“The UK Government has committed £26 million to the freeport, alongside significant incentives from both the UK and Welsh Governments. I am very pleased to see two governments working in partnership to deliver for the people of Wales.”*
“A vital cog in the UK’s low-carbon economy”
Rebecca Evans, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said: “The official opening of the Celtic Freeport sends another clear signal to the world that the industrial heartlands of South Wales are a vital cog in the UK’s low-carbon economy.
“We are already seeing real enthusiasm across the region and beyond to capitalise on the skills and job opportunities that this new industrial age will provide. The Welsh Government will be at Celtic’s side, offering major tax reliefs to attract business investment.
“The Freeport will also be able to use future non-domestic rates revenues to fund vital infrastructure and skills projects, benefiting Port Talbot and Milford Haven for generations to come.”
Freeport projects already making progress
Following the successful launch, Luciana Ciubotariu, CEO of Celtic Freeport, highlighted the rapid progress of key projects: “The Celtic Freeport is making significant strides forward with milestones such as planning consents for LanzaTech’s sustainable aviation fuel production plants, RWE’s Pembroke Green Hydrogen plant, and the launch of the Milford Haven CO₂ Project.
“Other major developments include H2 Energy and Trafigura’s West Wales Hydrogen project securing a hydrogen CfD, Haush establishing a green energy HQ, and the approval of wind turbine developments to expand Dragon Energy’s Renewables Park.
“These initiatives, alongside investments in battery energy storage by RWE and port infrastructure at Port Talbot, are accelerating South Wales’ reindustrialisation and driving a decarbonised economy rich in evolving and new industries.”
A cleaner, greener future
The Celtic Freeport aims to establish a green investment and innovation corridor, driving inward investment, skills development, and national decarbonisation. Key focus areas include:
- Floating offshore wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea
- Hydrogen economy and sustainable fuels
- Carbon capture and storage
- Cleaner steel production
- Low-carbon logistics
As one of 12 Freeports across the UK, the Celtic Freeport will play a pivotal role in the UK Government’s Growth Mission, supporting the transition to green industries and creating thousands of high-quality jobs for local communities.
(Cover image: Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens – Speaking at the Celtic Freeport event in Cardiff)
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