SHOPLIFTERS have been urged to think about the impact their crimes have on local people and businesses following a national rise in thefts.

Retail trade union Usdaw confirmed in recent days that it is "deeply concerned" by police recorded crime statistics for England and Wales showing that in the year to March 2024, there was a 30 per cent increase in shoplifting. 

This continues the trend of persistent quarterly increases since the pandemic, with the figures now having risen to their highest level in 20 years.

For the year to March 2024, there was a 34 per cent increase in shoplifting incidents across Wales - and North Wales specifically saw an 18 per cent rise.

Businesses in Wrexham and Flintshire have shared their views on the impact of shoplifting and general anti-social behaviour on trade.

Caroline Johnson from The Mold Bookshop said: "It's not a big problem for us but obviously it does happen.

"I think with us, it's perhaps more opportunists - they come in, pick up a book and see a chance to slip it into their bag.

"We do have security in place and barriers at the door so if anyone goes out without paying, an alarm goes off.

"But it is daunting because there's always the fear if you do approach them of what are they going to do?

"Shoplifting is obviously going to affect any business in their profit margins.

"We for example can't afford for people to be coming in and taking books.

"A lot of shops here in Mold are small independents. I'd remind people that they're basically stealing from another person, not a big business.

"They don't realise the impact they're having on these businesses.

"Really, they're damaging their own community and stealing from local people."

Usdaw’s latest annual survey of over 5,500 retail staff showed that 18 per cent of shop workers suffered a violent attack last year, compared to 8 per cent in 2022. 

Six in 10 respondents said that incidents of violence, threats and abuse they’d experienced were triggered by shoplifting or armed robbery. 

This increase in assaults comes during an epidemic of retail crime with official stats and reports from retailers showing significant increases in theft from shops.

Robert Williams-Day, of 4th Planet Games in Wrexham City Centre, said: "Shoplifting's never been a massive problem for this shop in the past, but I'd say since the end of the pandemic it's been more of a problem.

"It's less shoplifting and more anti-social behaviour with an element of shoplifting.

"Obviously shoplifting drives up costs by its very nature.

"And as an employee, anti-social behaviour is not something I like having to deal with; it can be daunting.

"The vast majority of people are wonderfully behaved.

"It's the very small minority who are not and it tends to be teenage boys; but not exclusively."

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime; theft from shops has long been a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shop workers. 

"Having to deal with repeated and persistent shoplifters can cause issues beyond the theft itself like anxiety, fear and in some cases, physical harm to retail workers. 

"This increase in shoplifting is further evidence that we are facing an epidemic of retail crime, which is hugely concerning."