Just 14% of shoplifting cases in Dyfed-Powys resulted in charges last year, figures uncovered by the Welsh Liberal Democrats have revealed.

The charge rate is the lowest in Wales and significantly below the average charge rate of 20%.

The House of Commons Library research shows a total of 13,077 shoplifting investigations in Wales were closed with no suspect being charged in 2024-25. This is the equivalent of 35 shoplifting events going unsolved per day.

In Dyfed-Powys, 946 shoplifting incidents resulted in no suspect being identified.

Responding to the figures, MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick said: “These shameful figures show the impact years of cuts to our police by the Conservatives had on society. This Labour government must now right these wrongs and crack down on shoplifting.

"Shoplifting is at epidemic levels in Wales now, with many business owners feeling like it has all but been decriminalised and many retail staff increasingly being put in harm's way."

MS Mid & West Wales Jane Dodds added: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime; it does a huge amount of damage to our local businesses and those who work in them.

“It’s time for the government to scrap Police and Crime Commissioners and invest the money in frontline policing instead. That way we can get more bobbies on the beat and stop this lawlessness on our high streets."