Two police forces in England are still investigating the thefts of medicines from pharmacies in their towns last month and warned the public not to buy medication that is being offered for sale under suspicious circumstances.

Dorset Police told Independent Community Pharmacist no arrests have been made after money and medication was stolen from Jhoots Pharmacy in Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury, between 8pm on Friday, July 5 and 8.20am on Monday, July 8. Dorset Police said its enquiries are “ongoing”.

Dorset Police constable Ed Lewis said: “We are carrying out enquiries into this burglary and I would ask anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area over (that) weekend, or who has any further information that might assist our investigation, to please contact us.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to strongly advise members of the public not to purchase any medication being offered for sale in suspicious circumstances and to report it to police.”

Meanwhile, West Yorkshire Police told ICP it is also continuing its enquiries after thieves broke into a pharmacy in the town of Meltham last month and stole a large quantity of prescription medicines.

Thieves broke into Meltham Pharmacy in Huddersfield Road overnight between Tuesday, July 30 and Wednesday, July 31 and stole prescription medicines including codeine, paracetamol and metformin. West Yorkshire Police also said its enquiries are “ongoing”.

Sergeant Richard Hamer from Kirklees Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We are continuing to conduct a number of enquiries into these thefts and would ask anyone who saw suspicious activity outside the pharmacy between 6pm on Tuesday and 9am on Wednesday (July 31) to contact us.

“Clearly it can be dangerous to take any medicine which is not prescribed for you, and anyone in the local area who is offered quantities of medicine for sale is urged to contact the police.

“We would also urge anyone who comes into contact with the medicine to take it to their nearest pharmacy and contact West Yorkshire Police.”