Labour’s Henry Tufnell is calling for more support for high streets, as new analysis reveals 1,000 shoplifting offences are being committed across England and Wales every day.

This equates to an offence almost every minute of the day, yet Freedom of Information requests submitted by the party to police forces suggest that charges have fallen by a quarter over the past five years.

Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, Henry Tufnell, was out visiting local businesses in Tenby on Friday, April 19 to hear about the challenges presented by shoplifting and anti-social behaviour that are blighting our high streets. He is campaigning for tougher repercussions for shoplifters.

“Pembrokeshire relies upon local businesses to grow our local economy, support jobs, and drive tourism. Today’s stats are clear: the Conservatives have lost control,” said Mr Tufnell.

“Labour has a plan to ensure our town centres are a safe, enjoyable place for Pembrokeshire residents to spend time in. Coupled with the Welsh Labour Government’s Transforming Towns scheme, which will provide £27 million by 2025 in South West Wales towards funding projects to regenerate and support our town centres, Labour’s priority is breathing life back into our high streets.”

Philippa Thompson, Labour’s Police and Crime Commissioner candidate for Dyfed Powys Police, joined with members of the Co-operative Party and USDAW, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, to campaign for stronger protections for retail workers.

It came shortly after the UK government finally committed to introduce a new offence for assault of a retail worker, which Labour, the Co-op and USDAW have called for, for more than a decade.

Philippa Thompson, said: “A Labour Government in Westminster means we'll see more police on the streets, a crackdown on anti-social behaviour, and on retail crime.

“It has taken the Conservatives 10 years to heed what Labour, the Co-operative Party and USDAW have been saying, and introduce a specific offence for assault of a retail worker. The Tories have run out of steam and run out of ideas, and it’s time for a change. Only Labour can deliver that change.”