A recent survey by the National Pharmacy Association reveals that nearly 90% of pharmacies in England have experienced shoplifting in the past year, with offenders stealing medical supplies including controlled drugs. The rise in theft has been accompanied by increased aggressive and intimidating behavior towards staff, with one-fifth of pharmacies reporting physical assaults. Pharmacy owners and representatives have expressed concern over the lack of effective police response, describing the situation as a broader societal issue. Some police forces have been criticized for being underfunded and overstretched, limiting their ability to respond to incidents. Additionally, there are reports of repeat offenders receiving lenient sentences, including a serial shoplifter spared jail multiple times due to a difficult childhood, and a career criminal released early under a probation program who subsequently committed further crimes. The National Pharmacy Association is calling for tougher action against offenders to address the escalating problem.