What started as a normal Thursday afternoon quickly spiraled into a nightmare for a small pharmacy owner in East London.
A gang of four teenage girls turned a quiet shopping visit into an organized perfume heist — walking out with nearly £2,000 worth of high-end fragrances in their bags.
Caught on Camera: The Bold Grab-and-Go
CCTV footage captured the shocking moment the girls coolly browsed the shelves at Forward Pharmacy in Mile End.
While pretending to shop, they pointed out items to each other and seemed to be discussing their plan.
One of them opened a secured glass cabinet without hesitation and began stuffing pricey perfume bottles into her bag.
As they moved quickly, a staff member noticed what was happening and tried to intervene.
But the confrontation didn’t go well — the pharmacist attempting to block their exit was shoved aside as the girls made their way out of the store.
Owner Speaks Out: “It Was Sickening”
Dipak Raja, the 36-year-old owner of the pharmacy, described the experience as both “sickening” and traumatic. Speaking to MailOnline, he explained that he and his staff are still shaken.
“There’s a constant feeling of being on edge now,” he admitted.
The stolen items included several luxury gift sets from top brands like Dior and Paco Rabanne, with some of them priced at over £100 each.
One particular item — the Dior Sauvage gift set — carried a price tag of at least £120.
A New Employee Was Shoved While Trying to Help
One of the most distressing parts of the incident for Mr. Raja was watching a new employee, Saarah — who had just started working at the pharmacy the week before — get pushed against a door frame when she tried to confront the thieves.
After that altercation, Mr. Raja and another staff member joined in and rushed to follow the culprits.
They called the police and tracked three of the girls toward the nearby tube station.
But the fourth, who was believed to be carrying most of the perfumes, disappeared in another direction.
A Slick Operation That Felt Rehearsed
Looking back, Mr. Raja believes the group knew exactly what they were doing.
“They were too precise. They picked the most expensive gift sets, created a distraction, and made it hard for us to tell who actually had the stolen perfumes,” he said.
He suspects this wasn’t the girls’ first time pulling off a theft like this.
Their quick execution and coordinated moves suggested a level of experience — and intent.
Trust Shattered and Security Tightened
The emotional toll has lingered far beyond the financial loss.
Mr. Raja shared how the sense of community and safety inside his pharmacy has all but vanished.
“Now, when more than two people walk in, we rush to serve them and get them out — just so we can keep our eyes on the shop floor,” he said.
In response, he’s hired a security guard to stand at the door, hoping that the visible presence will help prevent future incidents.
Still, the feeling of vulnerability remains.
Ongoing Struggles with Petty Theft
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the pharmacy’s first encounter with shoplifters.
Mr. Raja noted that theft has become a regular challenge — but usually, it’s minor losses.
“We’ve had people take £50 or £100 worth of stock before. But never anything like this,” he said.
He also expressed deep frustration with how little action is typically taken when these crimes are reported.
“We always tell the police, but nothing ever comes of it. Around here, it just keeps happening — and it’s really disheartening.”
What Happens Next?
As the investigation into the theft continues, Mr. Raja is left picking up the pieces.
From adding new security measures to rebuilding a sense of safety for both staff and customers, the incident has left a lasting mark on the pharmacy.
Whether the culprits will be caught or the stolen goods recovered remains to be seen — but for now, the small community pharmacy is doing everything it can to protect itself from becoming a target again.