A pharmacist in North Belfast has described the "traumatic experience" of being stabbed in the hand during an aggravated burglary over the weekend.
Conor McAreavey, from Teague's Pharmacist on the Antrim Road, said a man entered the shop at around 5.30pm on Saturday, March 5, and used a hammer to break through the shop's plastic Covid protection screen.
A "scuffle" followed and Mr McAreavey was stabbed in the hand before the attacker fled in the direction of Hillman Street.
Read more: Staff member 'stabbed in hand' after man enters pharmacy in North Belfast
The pharmacist, who has worked in the industry for 26 years, told BBC News NI that he was "very lucky" not to suffer tendon damage.
He added that without the Covid protection screens in place, the attacker "would have been straight into the heart of the dispensary" and "could have taken anything he wanted."
Mr McAreavey said that attacks on pharmacists had become a worrying "trend" in the area.
"We're here on a Saturday providing a service to the community and it's something that has to stop," he continued.
"It's been happening all over North Belfast for the last couple of weeks and it's just unacceptable.
"We are at the frontline here, we're all exhausted after two years of Covid and now as things open up to have this start to happen again to us is just unacceptable and very worrying for the staff."
The pharmacist added that he would return to work on Monday as the sector was experiencing a staffing crisis and "there's no other option".
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."
"We would reiterate the call by the PSNI for anyone who witnessed anything to contact them or Crimestoppers."
North Belfast MLA, Caral Ní Chuilin, described Saturday's attack as “shocking and appalling” and called on anyone with information to pass it on to the police.
Caral Ní Chuilín said: “I am shocked and appalled at yesterday’s attack by a man armed with a knife on local pharmacist Conor McAreavey.
"The Numark Pharmacy has provided an essential frontline service to the people of the New Lodge and Antrim Road for many years now. They stood with the community right through the pandemic at great risk to themselves.
“The owners and staff should be able to provide these essential services without fear of attack.
“I wish Conor a speedy recovery from his injuries. This incident could have resulted in even more serious injury or death and the person responsible must be brought to justice.
“I appeal to anyone with any information about the man responsible for this senseless and vicious attack to bring that forward to the police.”
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 being 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 the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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