Staff member stabbed in hand during pharmacy burglary in Belfast
Last updated 6th Mar 2022
A staff member at a pharmacy in North Belfast has been stabbed in the hand with a knife following an aggravated burglary yesterday (Saturday).
The PSNI said it happened in the Antrim Road area before 5:20pm.
The man reportedly entered a pharmacy armed with a hammer.
He then proceeded to damage a plastic window before stabbing a male employee.
Detective Sergeant Dougherty said: “Shortly before 5:20pm, it was reported that a male entered a pharmacy in the area.
“He then produced a hammer and damaged a plastic window, and then stabbed a staff member in the hand with a knife.
“The male then left the premises and made off towards the Hillman Street area following the incident.
“It is not believed that anything was taken, with the male member of staff treated for his injuries.
“The man is described as 6ft in height, of medium build and wore jeans, a dark coloured hooded jacket, brown framed glasses and a black facemask.
“It was reported he was confronted by another male as he left the pharmacy when he again brandished his knife.
“Police would like to speak to this male to assist with their enquiries as part of their investigation.”
“Police would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area at the time of the incident or who may have dash-cam footage taken at the scene, to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1395 05/03/22.
A report can also be submitted online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ .
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”
Reacting to the news of a stabbing at a community pharmacy, Gerard Greene, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI said:
“This was a horrible attack on a pharmacy team going about their normal job helping people on a Saturday afternoon. We utterly condemn this behaviour.
"An attack on a local community pharmacy team impacts lots of people who rely on us.
"Our thoughts are with the pharmacist who was stabbed in the hand and the pharmacy staff who were subjected to this horrendous ordeal”
“We would reiterate the call by the PSNI for anyone who witnessed anything to contact them or Crimestoppers.”
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