Civil Unrest and Local Disturbances
We’re mindful of the recent unrest in Greater Manchester and are here to help you
| Our team are trained in Mental Health First Aid. If you need someone to talk to, get in touch.
You can call 0161 228 6163 or email enquiries@cpgm.org.uk. If there is an immediate threat to safety, the Police should be called on 999. All ‘Hate Crime’ and ‘Non-Crime Hate Incidents’ should are reported to the Police. In a non-emergency, call 101 in order to do this. If you have been the victim of a crime, you can contact Greater Manchester Victims’ Services at GMVictims@catch-22.org.uk – you do not need to have reported a crime to the police to take advantage of this service. You can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via live chat at www.gmp.police.uk. |
We’ve also collated some practical things for you to consider if you’re impacted, some useful posters and a reminder of where you can access wellbeing resources and support.
Every situation and pharmacy is different. You know your local community best so you’ll need to make an informed decision based on local information about what’s the safest option for you and your team.
To support you we’ve collated a list of things to think about:
- Liaise with your local GPs to find out what they are doing
- Use reputable sources to track activity in your local area e.g. local police, council
- Travel with others if possible
- Be aware of your surroundings and report anything unusual to the police. Being vigilant helps protects everyone
- Ensure two people open and close the pharmacy
- Check your security systems including CCTV and panic alarms
- Display your poster on zero tolerance and report any incident of abuse
- Review whether it’s appropriate to visit local surgeries
- Discuss the option of rescheduling home deliveries with patients
- Assess whether your pharmacy is near any community facilities where people may congregate, e.g. libraries, churches or mosques
- If a pharmacy nearby has had to close, you may see an increased number of requests for emergency supplies
The safety of you, your pharmacy team and your patients is paramount. You and your team should have a pre-agreed action plan if your pharmacy is affected.
If you are impacted by a local disturbance you might:
- Stay away from doors and windows and pull shutters down
- Lock yourself, your team and patients (with their consent) in the pharmacy
- Keep everyone including patients informed about what’s happening
- If the police are attending the incident, DO NOT leave your pharmacy until they tell you it is safe to do so
The NPA have published guidance around protecting your staff, pharmacy premises and actions to take
The NHS and Hope not Hate have produced documents detailing further steps you can take in order to stay safe:
- NHS – Community Safety Tips
- Hope not Hate- Staying safe amidst violence
- Improving the personal safety of lone workers | NHS Employers
- Protecting lone workers (hse.gov.uk)
Worknest have produced some guidance on keeping staff and premises safe
- Complete this form and email to: gmhscp.gmtop@nhs.net
- Follow CPE’s checklist which includes reminders to inform other relevant organisations such as GPs and Drug & Alcohol Services with advanced notice if possible so they can make arrangements for vulnerable patients
- Refer to your Business Continuity Plan for contact details
- Worknest have collated some useful information to help manage workplace closures and address staff concerns
Public disorder and related violence can be distressing. If you are impacted and need some support, please access these resources. Remember to check in with team members as the impact can be delayed.
- Text SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 confidential text support
- GM Resilience Hub – Access free support to help with stress and anxiety
- Supporting our NHS people – View full range of support for staff in primary care
- NHS – Choose Kindness A4 Poster – you can display this in your pharmacy as a reminder to all about treating others with respect
- Dealing with racist abuse – this resource contains information about how to report racist abuse and some links to support
- Following the riots that took place in August 2024, Greater Manchester published a statement in which they thanked all for their vigilance and reiterated that there is no place for hate.
