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Boots has told The Pharmaceutical Journal that body cameras are now used by staff in more than 390 of its stores — an increase from 60 stores in 2021.
This expansion means that around one in five of the multiple’s more than 1,800 stores now use the technology, which was first introduced in response to what Boots described at the time as an “increasing problem” of abuse from customers.
When the devices were used consistently, stores saw around a 45% reduction in incidents, Iona Blake, security and incident manager at Boots, said at the time. And in some stores, the measure reduced incidents of violence and aggression towards staff by as much as 68%.
After the initiative was rolled out across more than 300 stores in August 2022, Boots has now confirmed to The Pharmaceutical Journal that it deploys body cameras in more than 390 locations — with further rollout ongoing.
“We have found their use reduces the number of incidents involving violence and aggression towards our team members, who tell us the body cams make them feel safer,” a spokesperson for Boots said.
A spokesperson for the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) expressed that the organisation did not comment on the business or commercial decisions of any individual members, but said it was “aware that many pharmacies are having to take additional security measures to protect their teams, as the incidence of violence towards them continues to increase”.
“We urge the government to do everything in its power to tackle retail crime, and especially violent and threatening behaviour towards pharmacy team members, who are just trying to do their jobs,” they added.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “These reports are shocking. No one should go to work fearing any form of abuse. We have zero tolerance for violence or harassment of any NHS staff or community pharmacists.
“There are a range of NHS-commissioned services available to support the wellbeing of NHS staff, including community pharmacy teams.”
The sixth annual Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) workforce wellbeing survey, published in February 2025, found that between March and October 2024, 42% of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians responding to the survey had experienced verbal abuse in the workplace, the majority (72%) of which was from patients or members of the public.
In addition, 3% of respondents reported that they had experienced physical abuse, 81% of which had come from the public or a patient.
- This article was amended on 6 June 2025 to add an additional quote
