Callous thieves target NHS staff at work - The Evesham Observer

Callous thieves target NHS staff at work

Evesham Editorial 8th Apr, 2020   0

HEALTH bosses have slammed the mindless yobs who stole a number of catalytic converters from NHS staff working 13-hour shifts at the Worcestershire Royal in the battle against the Coronavirus outbreak.

Police were called to the county’s main hospital at midday on Sunday (April 5) after a member of staff who finished her shift notice strange noise from their car when it was started.

A nearby colleague noticed the same noise and believed their catalytic converters had been removed and called the police. There has been a recent increase in the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles due to a rise in the value of the precious metals they contain.

A Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said spokesperson said: “This was a thoughtless act impacting those who are working above and beyond to help those who are ill and it potentially impacts them being able to travel to and from work to look after people when we need them the most”




Officers believe the car park at the hospital was targeted on both Saturday and Sunday night and confirmed catalytic converters had been stolen from the cars of the two nurses.

Det Insp Jack Taylor said: “The staff members’ cars appear to have been targeted by thieves who have stolen the catalytic converters from their vehicles.


“I cannot emphasise enough how disappointing it is at a time when our health care professionals are risking their lives to look after us they would be targeted in such a manner.

“I can reassure the victims and the wider public we are fully investigating this incident and our officers are working hard to protect the whole community from such crimes.

“We will also be increasing our patrols in these areas over the coming days and weeks in order to warn and deter potential offenders.

“Investigators are working closely with our partners at the hospital and I would like to hear from anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the hospital car parks on either Saturday 4 April or Sunday 5 April around parked vehicles.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote incident number 204s 5th April 2020.

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