Shoplifting across Gwent rises by 27 per cent
A recent survey by Usdaw of nearly 9,500 retail staff showed that more than three-quarters had suffered verbal abuse and far too many had been threatened or assaulted.
Two-thirds of respondents said that incidents of violence, threats and abuse they had experienced were triggered by theft or armed robbery.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said: 'The scale of the epidemic of retail crime in Wales is laid bare in these shocking police recorded crime statistics and Usdaw's own survey.
"It is increasingly common for retail stores to be targeted by organised crime gangs stealing to order.
'We have campaigned along with many retail employers for substantial legislative measures to combat this growing problem, and we are pleased that the UK government has introduced the Crime and Policing Bill, with measures to tackle this issue.
"It has passed all stages in the House of Commons and is now waiting for a second reading in the House of Lords.
'We now look forward to a much-needed protection of retail workers' law; ending the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has effectively become an open invitation to retail criminals; and funding for more uniformed officer patrols in shopping areas, along with Respect Orders for offenders.
It is our hope that these new measures will help give retail workers the respect they deserve.'
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