Pharmacists have said that three out of four community pharmacies have been hit by crime in the last year and have called for increased Garda presence and tougher sentences.
The organisation representing community pharmacists, the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), said that shoplifting robbery accounted for most crimes at pharmacies.
It said that a nationwide survey of pharmacies had found that 84 per cent had experienced more than one incident of crime.
The IPU said it was concerned that there had been a significant increase in crimes involving the use of a weapon.
The IPU maintained that almost one in every two crimes were perpetrated by criminals brandishing a weapon.
The IPU said that unless there was increased Garda visibility and tougher sentences to deter crime against pharmacies, “the level of crime will continue to increase with serious ramifications for employers, staff and local communities”.
It said that a survey of around 200 pharmacies nationwide conducted earlier this month on the crime issue found:
*37 per cent of pharmacists who decided not to report a crime did so because they felt the perpetrator would not be charged.
* Cosmetics and perfumes were the most likely items to be stolen from pharmacies, with cash taken from one in six premises.
* 92 per cent of pharmacists had invested in CCTV to protect their staff and businesses.
* Three-quarters of pharmacists had used a Garda crime prevention officer.
* 93 per cent reported that more visible policing would be effective in reducing crimes, with 85 per cent identifying tougher sentencing.
The vice president of the IPU's community pharmacy committee Daragh Connolly said: "The appalling level of crime experienced by pharmacies should send out a strong message to the authorities that unless immediate action is taken, criminals will continue to see retail businesses, including pharmacies, as an easy target. The belief that criminals will not be charged and the revolving door scenario in our courts is giving the impression to thieves that their criminal activities will go unpunished. It is imperative that a strong message goes out that criminals will be apprehended and dealt with appropriately by the authorities, including tough mandatory sentencing."
Mr Connolly maintained that crimes against pharmacies and other businesses should never be seen as so-called “petty” crimes or as victimless crimes.
“There is a perception that crimes against business are ‘victimless’ crimes and consequently are not treated as seriously as they should be. The safety of pharmacists, staff and customers is being put at risk by criminals and this cannot be tolerated. Crime also damages businesses, threatens jobs and negatively impacts on staff morale. These hidden costs can have a far bigger impact on the pharmacy business than the direct costs of damage and loss.”
