Faye Sibley (left) and Victoria Artus

Hornchurch paramedic speaks of anger after personal belongings stolen from ambulance

Sara Odeen-Isbister , Senior Reporter Tuesday, January 8, 2013
10:50 AM

Paramedics have spoken of their anger after personal belongings were stolen from an ambulance while they were treating a patient.

Victoria Artus, of Hornchurch, and Fay Sibley, of Essex, were on duty in Dagenham when Fay’s bag was snatched from the vehicle.

A pair of reading glasses and an iPod were among the items taken during the theft.

Victoria, of Clydesdale Road, said the incident was not isolated and that in one case her lunch had been stolen from an ambulance while she was working.

“I’m shocked and disgusted that people are stealing from the back of ambulances, especially when we’re treating people who are often at their most vulnerable and in some cases extremely unwell,” said the 27-year-old.

“Obviously when the bag containing my lunch was stolen I was upset - and hungry. The bag also contained various personal belongings but thankfully nothing of any value.”

Fay - who discovered her belongings were missing when she arrived at Queen’s Hospital, Romford, around half an hour later - said she was shocked at the “audacity” of the thief.

“To steal from an ambulance crew, who are there to help people, is extraordinary,” Fay said. “But actually it has happened to a few of my colleagues recently. This type of crime seems to be getting worse.”

Police are investigating the theft at around 4am on December 16.

Anyone with information should call 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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