A decline in retail theft across Wales has been met with approval.

The shopworkers’ union Usdaw has praised a one per cent reduction in shoplifting incidents throughout England and Wales.

Fresh statistics compiled by police forces show shoplifting dropped by 12 per cent across Wales during 2025, with most regions recording falls.

Dyfed-Powys experienced a 22 per cent decline, Gwent saw an 11 per cent reduction, and South Wales Police reported a 17 per cent fall.

Only North Wales bucked the trend, with offences climbing by five per cent.

Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas commented that retail crime continues to stay at elevated levels, according to these newly released police figures for Wales.

While a modest reduction was recorded throughout the previous year, retail crime persists as a major concern for the industry and especially for employees, she noted.

In Usdaw’s annual poll of almost 9,000 retail staff, more than three-quarters disclosed they had encountered verbal mistreatment while working, with 11 per cent reporting they had been attacked.

The union connected around two-thirds of violent or intimidating occurrences to shoplifting or armed robbery.

Ms Thomas stated that retail crime is by no means harmless.

She explained that coping with ongoing and repeated offences can create difficulties beyond the actual theft, such as worry, dread and physical injury to retail employees.

Usdaw has campaigned extensively for legislative changes to address this issue.

The union expressed support for the progress of the UK Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which includes stricter penalties including removing the £200 limit for pursuing shoplifting cases through the courts.

The legislation also creates Respect Orders for those who offend and provides much-needed safeguarding for retail staff.

Usdaw believes these fresh measures will assist in providing retail workers with the dignity they are entitled to.