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The vast majority (93%) of pharmacies that reported criminal incidents to the police in the past year felt they had an insufficient response, a survey conducted by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has found.
Results of the survey, published on 4 September 2026, also found that almost all respondents (98%) reported that they thought instances of criminal behaviour had increased since they started their careers in pharmacy.
The NPA surveyed almost 400 pharmacies across the UK.
In the past year, the majority (89%) of respondents said that they had experienced shoplifting, while more than one in ten (11%) had experienced burglaries attempting to access prescription medicines, and more than one in five (21%) had reported criminal damage, the survey results revealed.
The survey results also highlighted that nearly one-third (30%) of pharmacies chose not to report incidents to the police, citing concerns about response time.
Olivier Picard, chair of the NPA, said: “Pharmacies are not like ordinary shops on the high street. Not only do they provide a vital health service to their patients but they also stock prescription medicines.
“Theft of medication from a pharmacy, such as strong pain relief or benzodiazepines, could have serious consequence for someone’s health.”
More than one-third (35%) of pharmacies had seen staff members assaulted in the past year — including sexual assaults (3%) — while more than three-quarters (78%) reported harassment of staff, the survey results showed.
The NPA suggested the walk-in availability of pharmacies, which is often during evenings and weekends, has made pharmacies more vulnerable than other healthcare settings.
One survey respondent said: “Our staff constantly have to deal with abuse from members of the public — who often acknowledge that their frustration lies with other healthcare providers, but as we are the most accessible profession, we bear the brunt.”
“Reports of racist abuse, assaults and even sexual assaults of staff are absolutely disgusting, and we must do more to tackle this and protect our workforce,” Picard noted.
“This includes a stronger police response.”
Picard called for more resources for police to prioritise pharmacy related crimes, adding that “police work incredibly hard, often putting themselves in danger in the course of their duties, but we are concerned that they do not have the resources to adequately tackle high-street crimes such as these”.
Pharmacies should be offered “the same support as other parts of the NHS to make security arrangements”, Picard continued.
In 2021, NHS England introduced a £5m fund for security measures in general practice, but no such support has been extended to pharmacies.
One contractor surveyed by the NPA commented: “Shoplifting is a major problem, which is costing my business a lot. [In] one branch I have had to employ a security guard costing me £60k a year. I need support from the NHS with this cost.”
As of June 2025, about one in five Boots stores reported using body cameras to protect staff against crime.
The results of a Community Pharmacy England (CPE) survey, published in March 2026, revealed that pharmacy teams reported being attacked when challenging theft, having shelves and counters smashed, doors kicked in and items, such as medicine bottles and sharp objects, thrown as weapons.
From 5–25 October 2026, community pharmacies in England will run a campaign, which will focus on “the expectation that pharmacy staff are treated with respect”, using assets developed by NHS England and CPE.
Responding to the NPA’s findings, Alex Goss, assistant chief constable of the Merseyside Police and National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for retail crime, told The Pharmaceutical Journal on 3 September 2026: “We are acutely aware of the challenges faced by retail workers, including those in pharmacies, who are subjected to abuse and violence by offenders. The policing response has been strengthened significantly across the whole business sector, and the forthcoming offence of assault against a retail worker is expected to provide further protection and help reduce incidents of violence and abuse.
“Significant progress has been made in tackling retail crime since the introduction of the ‘Retail Crime Action Plan’ and the Pegasus Partnership in 2024. Policing and industry partners are now working more closely than ever before, with enhanced intelligence sharing and a more effective approach to targeting prolific shoplifters and organised retail crime groups.
“This momentum is being driven by the ‘Tackling Retail Crime Together’ strategy (2025–2028). This national, cross‑sector approach brings together police, retailers, the security industry and business crime reduction partnerships to deliver a coordinated, intelligence‑led approach.”
