Overview

• Shop owner Rob Davies has refused to reword or remove his handwritten notice calling shoplifters “scumbags” and has even enlarged it after officers deemed it potentially offensive.
• North Wales Police say they take all shoplifting reports seriously but responded to a public complaint by advising Davies to alter his signage.
• Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticised the force for focusing on offence complaints instead of cracking down on retail theft.
• Local businesses and free speech advocates have rallied behind Davies, with one peer shopkeeper gifting a sign poking fun at offended complainants.
• Surging retail theft rates have left many independent retailers frustrated by perceived underenforcement and pushed them to adopt self-help measures.