Mean-spirited thieves have been stealing toys and DVDs from a children’s A&E department.
The toys and discs, donated by the public and charities, were the latest to disappear in a spate of thefts at Dewsbury District Hospital.
The theft was discovered when a child in pain requested to see Disney favourite ‘Frozen’.
But hospital staff found a cabinet, containing the film, other discs and electronic games, had been prized open and the contents stolen.
It is the latest in a series of thefts of toys, games, pushchairs and prams from the ward, staff said.
Children’s A&E sister Anjela Jones said: “We are absolutely sickened.
“Children come in here with abdominal pain, shortage of breath from asthma and broken bones – how can you steal from them?”
Whilst security at the hospital is tight, children’s have to be relatively open as the sight of locked doors can be traumatic for children and their families.
Sister Jones added: “The DVDs and toys are really useful for distracting and soothing the children as they wait to see a doctor or get test results.
“It would be terrible if we had to take them away from the unit because some people choose to steal them.”
The hospital, which treated 2,250 children last month, is appealing for donations to replace the stolen items.
Toys and games can be dropped off at the hospital.
Hospital trust chairman, Jules Preston, said: “Many of the items stolen had been donated to the unit over Christmas by members of the community who really appreciate what this hardworking team does.
“It is just unfortunate that others feel it is alright to steal from children’s A&E and cause upset to our team, our patients and their families.”
Chf Insp Paula Booth, from the Kirklees Policing Team, said: “These thefts are obviously upsetting for all those involved and we are asking anyone with any information that could help us with our enquiries to contact Dewsbury police via 101, or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 47165.”
In unrelated investigations, police would like to speak to the people pictured in the image gallery below.
The people pictured in the images may be witnesses as well as suspects.
If you recognise anyone, contact police on 101 quoting the reference number on the image caption.
