A group of pharmacies in Lincolnshire is issuing staff with body cameras amid reports of a 245 per cent increased in incidents of abuse from patients.

Lincolnshire Co-op announced this morning (November 26) that staff in its 44 pharmacies and 99 grocery shops will be equipped with the cameras following a trial earlier this year.

The Co-op said that in the last 12 months there have been 150 reported incidents of abuse and threats from members of the public, with 23 of these occurring in community pharmacies. 

Perceived delays or other issues with prescriptions are a common trigger for abusive behaviour in pharmacies, said security manager Mark Foulds: “There are various brands of prescription medication, and we have had several occasions when abuse has happened after we have prescribed the correct generic drug but not what the patient expected to receive from their GP.”

Mr Foulds said that staff have faced abusive language and threats, as well as some instances of physical abuse. 

“The vast majority of our customers are polite and respectful, but there are a minority whose actions are unacceptable,” he added. 

“This not only impacts on our colleagues – who are simply trying to provide the best service they can to our communities – but it can also impact on our other customers, who can find these incidents distressing and who don’t want to see our colleagues treated in that way.”

He commented: “We have had positive feedback from the trial sites, with colleagues telling us the body cameras helped them to feel more confident and secure. 

“The cameras are front-facing so show the customer what the colleague sees, which we believe may help with de-escalating incidents or make people think twice about what they are doing and how they are treating our colleagues. 

“They also record both video and audio which we can share with relevant authorities when we believe a crime has taken place.”

Minnie Grainger, an assistant at Birchwood Pharmacy in Lincoln, said that during the pilot the body cameras prompted potentially abusive patients to “think twice,” commenting: “It helps both our colleagues and our other customers enjoy the safety that we all deserve.”