Wrexham shop owner, Rob Davies, is making waves online after police asked him to remove a sign from his storefront that calls shoplifters “scumbags.” The situation unfolded after Rob’s vintage store, Run Ragged, faced a surge in thefts, prompting him to lock up valuable items and post the sign to let customers know.
Rob was shocked when North Wales Police later visited, insisting the sign was “provocative and offensive,” and asking him to reword it. Rob, however, stood his ground, questioning who the sign might offend—perhaps the shoplifters themselves? His candid post about the incident went viral, sparking global support from the public and fellow retailers.
Rob pointed out that shoplifting is becoming rampant, with figures showing a 20% rise in offenses across Wales and England, the highest in over two decades. Many attribute the spike to the cost of living crisis. While some steal out of necessity, Rob stressed his shop isn’t essential goods, and there’s no excuse for the theft happening.
Despite the controversy, Rob is heartened by the support from both the local community and people worldwide. He’s fielded calls from other shop owners dealing with similar issues, proving this isn’t an isolated incident but a growing problem. Rob’s story highlights the struggles of small business owners fighting against a tide of rising retail crime. Props to Rob for standing his ground!