Staffordshire Police have partnered with four community pharmacies to raise awareness of fraud and help protect the elderly and vulnerable from falling victim to it. 

Launched by Lichfield local policing team, the initiative sees the pharmacies distributing a leaflet containing “bespoke information tailored to elderly and vulnerable residents to help raise awareness of fraud and the ways people can protect themselves” alongside their prescription deliveries. 

Read more: Record high numbers of illegal medicine doses seized last year 

Sergeant Viet Vo is leading the initiative and said it was designed “to reach people who may not otherwise engage with our support services and get them to think about their safety at the same time as their health”.  

“While we know that social media and online advice and support has its place, we know that many vulnerable people who are often at risk of falling victim to this type of crime don’t always have access to the internet”, Sergeant Vo added. 

“It made total sense” 

Superintendent pharmacist and business owner of Prescription Care Services Jas Riat told C+D that “Staffordshire Police recognised that pharmacies, particularly those delivering medicines, are both highly trusted and ideally placed to reach older or vulnerable people who spend much of their time at home, may have limited social contact and often aren’t easily reached via social media messaging.” 

The partnership “It made total sense,” he added. 

Read more: More than 20,000 prescription medicines seized in police search 

A representative from Whittington Pharmacy told C+D that the pharmacy has “regular contact with patients who may be particularly vulnerable to scams and financial abuse” and “felt it was important to support an initiative that raises awareness, helps people recognise the warning signs of fraud, and encourages them to seek help if they have concerns”. 

“We hope our involvement will help give our patients greater confidence in identifying potential scams and knowing where to turn for support,” they added. 

Read more: Police seize prescription medicines in £1m illegal drugs bust 

It comes after the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) seized a record number of illegal medicine doses last year, worth an estimated £64.4m.  

And it follows Greater Manchester Police arresting two men on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A, B and C drugs after police seized over 20,000 prescription medicines from one of their addresses.