An Oxford pharmacist has been left fearing for his safety after a reign of terror that has seen death threats and vandalism at his pharmacy.

Pupinder Ghatora, of Woodlands Chemist in Oxford, said his life was threatened while at work on Friday, August 20. Then, that night, the pharmacy’s lock was vandalised and white spirit poured through the door.

Notes warning “you’d better watch your back”, were left on his delivery van, and a dispensing assistant was threatened by two men while walking home. And on more than one occasion, spent matches have been left outside the pharmacy.

The attacks come just weeks after C+D reported soaring levels of crime in London pharmacies (C+D, August 14, p6) and follow calls for more protection for the sector.

“It’s scary,” Mr Ghatora said of his situation, expressing concern that the matches outside his pharmacy were an arson attempt. “If this store goes up, it will kill the students that live above us… the worst thing is that it happens when we’re not here. It’s cowardice, it’s just cowardly.”

The pharmacy locks have had to be changed three times, Mr Ghatora added. A private security firm has also been hired and electronic shutters and CCTV installed to protect the pharmacy and its staff.

“It’s costing me a fortune – I can’t survive any longer,” Mr Ghatora said, adding that customers had offered to contribute to security costs.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police confirmed there had been multiple incidents reported at the premises in the past week.