Seasonal Advice – Theft of Perfume Stocks

As we approach the festive season, many pharmacies are busy preparing for the surge in gift sales, including high-value items like perfumes. Unfortunately, this time of year also brings increased opportunities for criminals to target retail shops, especially those with visible or valuable stocks. In recent months, NPA Insurance has seen a troubling trend in which organised criminals are specifically targeting pharmacies for their perfume stock. Here are some tips to help you safeguard your business and prevent theft.

Why Perfume is a Target

Perfume is a high-value, easily portable item, making it an attractive target for thieves, particularly during the busy Christmas shopping season. Thieves are well aware that many pharmacies display perfumes prominently, often right next to the front door. They know that these items are both desirable and can be resold quickly for a profit.

How Thieves Strike

Organised criminals often target pharmacies with weak or unsecured entry points. They look for vulnerabilities in the physical security of the premises. Some common weaknesses include:

• Side or back entrances that are less secure than the front entrance.
• Accessible windows, especially those that can be reached via a flat roof or fire escape staircase.
• Stock on open display outside business hours—a tempting opportunity for thieves.

In some cases, thieves may even return to the same pharmacy once they know it has been restocked with valuable items.

What Can You Do to Protect Your Business?

While no security system is foolproof, there are several steps you can take to reduce the risk of a break-in and prevent criminals from targeting your stock:

1. Be Alert to ‘Trial Runs’. Thieves sometimes carry out test runs to evaluate a pharmacy’s security. If you notice broken windows, doors being tampered with, or other signs of a forced entry (even if there’s no obvious theft), treat it as a warning sign. It may be a gang scouting the location. Consider reviewing your security measures immediately.
2. Enhance Physical Security. If your pharmacy is located in a parade of shops, and yours is the only one without roller shutters or other robust security features, it may become an easy target.
   Roller shutters can be a major deterrent, but if these are not feasible, consider installing internal bars or retractable grilles that can be deployed after hours.
   Install permanent internal or external bars on accessible windows.
3. Keep Emergency Exits Accessible. It’s important to maintain safe, accessible emergency exits, but they should not compromise your overall security. Ensure they are equipped with secure locks or alarms.
4. Move Display Stock Out of Sight After Hours. If you have a significant amount of perfume on display, it’s a good idea to move it out of sight and into a secure area at the end of each day. This will make it more difficult for thieves to access valuable items during non-operating hours.
5. Use Lockable Cabinets. For smaller quantities of stock, consider using lockable display cabinets to secure perfumes overnight. This provides a deterrent to thieves and adds an extra layer of protection.
6. Review Security Regularly. Even if you’ve already implemented security measures, it’s crucial to keep reviewing your system, especially during the holiday season. Thieves are becoming more sophisticated, so staying one step ahead is essential.

Insurance and Prevention

At NPA Insurance, we are committed to protecting your business financially if the worst happens. However, we would much rather see you take proactive steps to prevent theft from occurring in the first place. By securing your stock and strengthening physical security, you can reduce the risk of loss and protect your pharmacy from seasonal crime.
Stay vigilant, review your security measures regularly, and take action to protect your stock this Christmas.

Nick Dinsdale
Director of Underwriting, NPA Insurance Limited