Pharmacies across England are grappling with an unprecedented surge in shoplifting and aggression, painting a troubling picture for the country’s frontline healthcare providers. According to a series of recent surveys by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), nearly nine in ten pharmacies have reported a spike in theft and hostile behaviour over the past year, with staff facing everything from intimidation to outright physical assault.
The numbers are stark. The NPA, which represents more than 6,000 independent community pharmacies nationwide, polled nearly 500 pharmacies in England and found that 88% experienced a rise in shoplifting incidents in the last 12 months. Equally alarming, 87% reported an uptick in aggressive or intimidating behaviour directed at pharmacy staff, and 22% said there had been physical assaults on their team members. These findings, described by the NPA as "unacceptable" and "appalling," have put a spotlight on the mounting challenges faced by community pharmacies, which have long served as accessible points of care for millions.
Henry Gregg, chief executive of the NPA, minced no words in his assessment of the crisis. “These are appalling findings and show that pharmacies are seeing a significant increase in shoplifting and other criminal behaviour. It is particularly concerning to hear of reports of physical assaults as well as threats towards pharmacy staff, which is totally unacceptable,” he told The Independent. Gregg further warned that the theft of medications—especially strong painkillers or benzodiazepines—could have "serious consequences for someone’s health."
Pharmacy teams, Gregg noted, are often more exposed to abuse and threats than their primary care colleagues, simply because of their accessibility to the public. “Due to their accessible nature, pharmacy teams can often be more exposed to abuse and threats than their primary care colleagues,” he said, adding, “Although pharmacies are taking their own steps to protect their staff and premises, the police should do much more to tackle crimes like shoplifting, which is becoming increasingly commonplace.”
Indeed, the frustration with law enforcement’s response is palpable among pharmacy owners. Nearly three-quarters of those who reported incidents to the police—about 73%—felt the response was insufficient. This sentiment was echoed by Sanjeev Panesar, a pharmacy owner in Birmingham, who described a "noticeable rise" in theft across his sites over the past year and a half. “Some people are even filling bags with stock and walking out,” Panesar told Sky News. His staff, he said, "can endure verbal abuse or physical intimidation, neither of which should be part of their role." The impact, Panesar explained, goes beyond lost inventory: “Facing such hostility is not only disheartening but has a lasting effect on job satisfaction, morale, and feelings of safety at work.”
To combat the rising tide of crime, Panesar has resorted to hiring security guards and, on occasion, personally chasing offenders away. “It’s incredibly frustrating to see our teams deal with this reality, despite all the preventative measures we’ve implemented. Instead of focusing on protecting our premises from theft, we should be spending our time and energy developing innovative services, supporting patient care and improving community health,” he lamented.
Other pharmacy owners have echoed similar experiences. Ashley Cohen, a pharmacist in Leeds, spoke to BBC Breakfast about what he described as an "endemic increase in criminality." He recounted not just petty thefts but also wanton vandalism and what appeared to be "sinister organised crimes, where people are trying to access our dispensaries." In just one recent stretch, Cohen counted two overnight break-ins at each of his two pharmacies and three incidents where bricks were hurled through the front windows. “Every incident of crime in our pharmacy isn’t just a statistic but it makes my staff feel unsafe and it also stops our patients accessing healthcare,” Cohen said.
Shoplifting isn’t limited to high-value items, either. Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of the Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA), told the BBC that thieves are taking anything they can get their hands on, emboldened by what she described as a lack of police response and the perception that offenders who are caught receive little more than a "slap on the wrist." As a result, IPA members have been forced to spend on CCTV, private security guards, and even panic buttons. The NPA has also encouraged pharmacies to employ body cameras and security shutters, though some more controversial measures—like displaying photographs of known thieves—have raised concerns with the UK’s information watchdog over potential data protection violations.
While these security measures may offer some deterrence, they come at a cost—one that pharmacies must shoulder themselves. Hannbeck noted that the financial burden of these precautions only adds to the pressure on already stretched pharmacy budgets.
The government, for its part, has responded by promising a "zero-tolerance approach to violence or harassment directed at NHS staff and community pharmacists." A spokesperson told The Independent that more than 500 town centres are receiving extra neighbourhood patrols this summer to strengthen action against shop theft and related offences. The government also announced plans to remove the effective immunity that currently applies to thefts involving goods valued under £200, and is introducing new laws to protect shop workers from violence. “This government is removing the effective immunity that currently applies to thefts involving goods valued under £200, and this summer, more than 500 town centres are receiving additional neighbourhood patrols to strengthen action against shop theft and related offences,” the spokesperson said.
Despite these pledges, many in the sector remain sceptical. The British Retail Consortium recently reported that shoplifters are acting with increasing brazenness and violence, seemingly undeterred by the risk of consequences. Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones summed up the mood on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, saying shoplifting has "got out of hand" in the UK.
Nick Kaye, former NPA chair, pointed out that the aggression faced by pharmacy staff isn’t always linked to shoplifting. Sometimes, he said, it’s a consequence of patients’ frustrations with other parts of the NHS. “We [community pharmacies] are dealing with the most vulnerable, we are always there and accessible,” Kaye explained, highlighting the unique position—and vulnerability—of pharmacies in the healthcare system.
The consequences of this crime wave extend far beyond the bottom line. Experts warn that stolen prescription medications, especially powerful painkillers or sedatives, could pose significant risks to public health if misused. The NPA has repeatedly cautioned that theft of such drugs "could have serious consequences for someone’s health."
As the country’s pharmacies look to the future, many are calling for a more robust, coordinated response from both law enforcement and the government. The message from the sector is clear: pharmacies are on the front lines, and they need meaningful support—not just to protect their stock, but to safeguard the well-being of their staff and the communities they serve.
The surge in crime at pharmacies is more than a statistic; it’s a daily reality for staff and patients alike. Unless urgent action is taken, the nation risks undermining one of its most accessible and trusted healthcare resources.