CSI - Community Pharmacy

I read a really interesting editorial, and article, in the C&D recently about pharmacists, and pharmacies, being subjected to crime...The bottom line is that the number of crimes committed in UK pharmacies in 2011 exceeded the number of pharmacies - and the chance of experiencing burglary, robbery or assault is almost 17%...worse still, over the past year pharmacists have been threatened with needles, screwdrivers and guns!
 
In our pharmacy, we've been subjected to swearing, yelling and had a box of combs thrown at a pharmacist over the past year. I know of other pharmacies, locally, that have suffered a lot worse...
 
In light of these disturbing figures, it's probably worth all pharmacies revisiting procedures to ensure that they are prepared - so that all pharmacy staff can react quickly and appropriately to threatening, or criminal, activity - to stay safe and hopefully defuse the situation so it doesn't escalate out of control!

---