Members of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) are urging the next Welsh government, due to be formed after the May election, to introduce a £6,500 grant to help independent retailers install modern CCTV systems to tackle rising retail crime. The organization argues that better enforcement would help curb the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes, protect legitimate retailers, and disrupt organized crime networks linked to the black market.
The call mirrors a similar request the Fed made recently to the Scottish government and forms part of three manifesto proposals submitted to Welsh political parties ahead of the vote. The Fed is also seeking the creation and funding of a dedicated Retail Crime Taskforce in Wales, modeled on Scotland’s, alongside ring-fenced funding for trading standards officers to crack down on rogue trading.
Fed Welsh president Clive Birkby said the organization wants small independent shops placed “at the heart” of the next government’s agenda, with urgent action on retail crime, business rates, and the fair rollout of Wales’ deposit return scheme.
