A trader from a small town in Tenby, Wales, faced a distressing incident of being spat at by a shoplifter after she tried to stop him from stealing alcohol from her store. Fiona Malone, along with her partner Vince, runs the Tenby Post Office in the town centre. Malone revealed that the store has been losing an alarming average of £26,000 a year to shoplifters since the pandemic hit. The couple decided to combat the issue by installing advanced security systems like headsets and cameras triggered by artificial intelligence to identify potential thefts and alert the staff instantly. Despite occasional false alarms, the technology came in handy on the evening of March 17 when a young boy was caught stealing wine.
The shoplifter’s actions led to a heated confrontation between Malone and the boy at South Cliff Gardens. Malone recounted the boy’s defiant behaviour of taking a swig of wine from one of the bottles, spitting it at her, which landed on her. The incident escalated to Malone calling the police and trailing the perpetrator. Despite experiencing frequent theft incidents at their family-run business, Malone expressed shock at being spat at and highlighted the emotional toll such incidents take on them. She emphasised the impact of relentless thefts on the store’s operations, which could potentially lead to its closure, affecting the town residents as their store also serves as the only bank in Tenby.
The rising trend of shoplifting is not unique to Tenby but is a growing concern across Wales and England. Statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicated a 23% increase in reported shoplifting offences in the 12 months leading to September 2024. In Dyfed-Powys alone, there were 2,161 recorded incidents of shoplifting, reflecting a 12% rise compared to the previous period. The overall figures have reached record highs, prompting law enforcement agencies like Dyfed-Powys Police to address such criminal activities diligently.
The authorities responded to the incident at Tenby Post Office swiftly, with the police launching an ongoing investigation into the theft and assault that took place on March 17. These incidents shed light on the detrimental impact of shoplifting not only on businesses like Tenby Post Office but also on the emotional and financial well-being of its owners. The need for stringent measures to combat shoplifting and support affected businesses is evident as they play a crucial role in the local community.
Despite facing challenges like shoplifting, the resilience of small businesses like Tenby Post Office remains unwavering. Malone’s determination to confront shoplifters and protect her store underscores the dedication and commitment shown by entrepreneurs in safeguarding their livelihoods. As communities navigate through such adversities, the support and cooperation of law enforcement, local authorities, and residents are vital in creating a safe and secure environment for businesses to thrive. The story from Tenby serves as a reminder of the underlying issues faced by small businesses and the collective effort required to address them effectively and sustain the local economy.