FOUR pharmacies have been burgled in five nights across York in raids which police believe are probably linked.

Burglars struck in the early hours of Wednesday at Boots in Front Street, Acomb, and Living Care Pharmacy in Green Lane, Acomb, and again early yesterday at a pharmacy in Upper Poppleton.

The raids followed a break-in early on Monday at Boots on the corner of Goodramgate and Kings Square, in which a large quantity of prescription drugs were stolen.

Pam Brompton, owner of the Poppleton pharmacy, said the front door had been ‘battered’ in and drugs, mainly tranquilisers and painkillers, had been stolen, along with cash.

She said the alarm had apparently been raised by a Press delivery driver who had witnessed the break-in, and police had arrived swiftly, but two young men with backpacks had apparently been seen fleeing the scene.

“I have been here 30 years and this has never happened before,” she said. “It’s a pretty tough door, which we’ve had to get boarded up securely.

“I’ve been speaking to other pharmacists who are concerned they will be the next target. I just want to warn others of the risk.

“I will store the drugs that the burglaries are targeting elsewhere, while customers will still be able to obtain them.”

Jason Lestner, director of Living Care, said the burglaries came when pharmacies were already having a very challenging and difficult time in the face of NHS cutbacks, and there was no one to help them out in dealing with the aggravation of a break-in.

He called for surveillance to try to prevent any more burglaries.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said investigations were ongoing, taking into account the likelihood that the burglaries were linked.

She confirmed that a break-in had been reported at 1.10am yesterday at The Pharmacy on the Green in Poppleton, with drugs and small amount of cash stolen. Break-ins had also been reported at 4.28am on Wednesday at Living Care Pharmacy in Green Lane, Acomb, with nothing apparently taken and at 5.15 am on Wednesday at Boots in Front Street, Acomb, with a number of drugs stolen.

“Investigations into all break-ins are under investigation,” she said. “Our advice to pharmacists is to ensure their security measures are up to date and that their CCTV is in working order.

“Members of the public are urged to contact the police if they see any suspicious behaviour and if they have any information that could help the investigations, they should call 101 and ask for York Investigation Hub. If they wish to remain anonymous, they can phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”