Crime
Rise in Welsh shoplifting sparks union concern for retail staff safety
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
Two men bailed after Fleming Crescent burglary report
TWO men have been arrested following a reported burglary at a property in Haverfordwest.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers were called after a residential burglary was reported at Fleming Crescent on Sunday (Apr 26).
The incident is understood to have taken place sometime between 8:35pm and 11:55pm.
Residents reported seeing police tape and several police vehicles in the area at around 9:49pm.
A police spokesperson confirmed that two men, aged 25 and 28, both from Pembrokeshire, were arrested on suspicion of burglary.
Both men have since been released on bail.
Crime
Pembrokeshire hairdresser avoids prison after pub assault
When a Fishguard mobile hairdresser was branded a chav in her local pub, she took umbrage by throwing a glass of gin at the woman who had spoken the words.
But this week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that when the glass shattered into the victim’s face, the woman sustained lacerations to her neck and chin.
Appearing before the Bench was 43-year-old Donna Thomas of White Lodge, Dyffryn, Goodwick, who pleaded guilty to assaulting Hannah Llewellyn, causing her actual bodily harm.
The court was told that Thomas arrived at The Royal Oak pub in Fishguard, at around 8pm on October 18, accompanied by her husband. Approximately an hour later, Hannah Llewellyn arrived.
“The defendant began speaking to the victim and an argument broke out,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies.
“The defendant hit the victim to her face with a glass which smashed against her face, neck and skin, causing lacerations.”
Photographs of the lacerations were shown to the Bench.
But the probation service stressed that the assault had been prompted by a derogatory remark made to the defendant by Hannah Llewellyn.
“The defendant had had two drinks earlier that evening, she drank two more at the pub prior to the incident, and was tipsy but was aware of what was happening around her,” commented the probation officer.
“She went over to the table where the victim was sitting, her husband introduced her to the victim who he’d known since his school days, and they began discussing land on friendly terms. But the victim then laughed at the defendant’s job, which is a self-employed mobile hairdresser, and called her a chav.
“Without thinking, Donna Thomas went to throw the drink over the victim’s face but she knocked the glass. She didn’t intend to hurt her physically, but just wanted to throw the drink.”
Thomas was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 18 months. During this time she must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. She was ordered to pay £750 compensation to Hannah Llewellyn, a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Farm worker overturns Mercedes when over drink-drive limit
A Pembrokeshire farm worker has lost his licence after overturning his Mercedes when he was over the drink-drive limit.
This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that at around 3.40pm on January 10, police received reports that a black Mercedes had been involved in a single vehicle road collision on the A487 at Roch.
When officers arrived, they discovered the overturned Mercedes with its driver, Richard James, 45, trapped in the driving seat.
At around 5 pm James was arrested and transported to Withybush hospital where blood samples were carried out. These gave a reading of 112 mcg of alcohol, the legal limit being 80.
James, of Bryn Seion, Solva, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill who informed magistrates that the defendant had collected items for work on the afternoon in question.
“He’d consumed alcohol the night before and had also taken some prescribed medication,” she said. “He believed he would be safe to drive the following day, but obviously this wasn’t the case.”
Jess Hill added that James is expecting to lose his employment as a farm worker, as the mandatory driving ban will prevent him from driving the vehicles involved with his work.
James was disqualified from driving for 14 months and ordered to pay a £346 fine, a £138 court surcharge and £85 costs.
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