75% of pharmacies robbed in past year
The Irish Pharmacy Union found that almost three out of four pharmacies experienced shoplifting or robbery in the past year, with weapons used in one-in-four raids.
“These shocking levels of crime being experienced by pharmacists show that too many criminals feel there is nothing to stop them,” said IPU president Rory O’Donnell.
“The gardaí and the judiciary must send a stronger message to criminals that they will be stopped and that criminal behaviour will be punished severely. The safety of pharmacists, staff and customers is being put at risk by criminals and this cannot be tolerated.”
Mr O’Donnell said there was a perception that crimes against business were victimless and they were not treated as seriously as they should be.
More than 80% of the 157 pharmacies surveyed earlier this month had experienced more than one criminal incident. Shoplifting (90%) and robbery (22%) accounted for most of the crimes.
Three out of four pharmacists who had experienced a crime reported it to the gardaí but more than a third (35%) felt the response was inadequate.
Over half (52%) who decided not to report a crime did so because they felt the perpetrator would not be charged.
Cosmetics and fake tan are the most likely items to be stolen from pharmacies. The survey found 95% of pharmacies have invested in CCTV.
