Callous thieves appear to be targeting cars belonging to Morriston Hospital staff whilst they are busy going about their jobs treating patients and saving lives.
Swansea Bay University Health Board employees are being warned to be on their guard, following reports of vehicles being targeted by thieves, with them either being stolen or stripped of parts.
The problem is not new, with South Wales Police meeting health board officials last year to offer advice after nine vehicles were stolen from the staff car park in Morriston Hospital over a six month period, from May to October, but it had appeared to have gone away.
Unfortunately there have been fresh reports of vehicles being stolen – 4 cars and 3 motorcycles – from the staff car park in Morriston since the start of August.
Des Keighan, assistant director estates, said: “We are absolutely appalled by the callous nature of these thefts. These are not opportunistic thefts. Thieves are deliberately targeting cars in hospital car parks.
“Health board staff come to work to help people who are ill or injured, finish after a hard shift only to find their car has either been stolen, or had parts stolen from it.
“This is not only causing a great deal of inconvenience, but it is hitting our staff in the pocket. They still have to pay excess on any insurance claim they make and some may lose their no claims bonus or see their policies go up as a result of their claim. Also they then may have difficulty getting to work which puts services under more pressure. Staff who have been the victims of these thieves are very upset and angry.”
It appears thieves have been targeting modern high powered vehicles and Ford Fiestas in particular.
Swansea Bay UHB has asked all staff to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police immediately on 999. It is advised that employees do not approach anyone they suspect may be committing a crime.
Car theft prevention advice from South Wales Police, has also been reissued to its employees across all sites.
Joanne Jones, Swansea Bay’s head of support services, said: “South Wales Police have confirmed that car thefts are happening across the force but it is disappointing to see that thieves are also targeting hospital staff who come to work to care for patients.”
