Thief steals from hospital patients

Date published: 01 September 2010

Police are hunting a thief who has targeted bed-ridden patients in hospital.

Sometime between 2.30pm on (4 August 2010) and 11.15am the following day an unknown offender stole a ring from an 84-year-old man who was being treated at Tameside General Hospital.

The wedding ring of an 84-year-old woman who was being treated for pneumonia was stolen sometime between 7am and 5pm on (1 July 2010).

Police are also investigating two other similar offences. Between 3pm on (26 June 2010) and 9am on (28 June 2010) jewellery was stolen from an elderly woman who is terminally ill.

Between 12am on (3 June 2010) and 2pm on (8 June 2010), it was discovered cash had been stolen from a 78-year-old woman. It is not known whether it was stolen during a visit to the hospital or from her home.

Pc Ian Johnson, from Hyde police station, said: "Such immoral behaviour is almost incomprehensible.

"I am astonished that someone is prepared to steal from people who are lying ill and defenceless in their hospital beds and I would urge anyone with any information about the person responsible to call me.

"We are working closely with the hospital to try and identify the offender but I am also keen to hear from anyone who may have been in hospital recently, or their relatives or friends who may have noticed some items missing or who think they may also be a victim to call police."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 872 5050, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.