Hornchurch paramedic speaks of anger after personal belongings stolen from ambulance
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.
Most Read
- 1 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: Street parties and road closures in Havering
- 2 The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee flypast: Where, and when, the planes will fly over north and east London
- 3 Here are five top-rated delicious 'cheap eats' in Havering, according to Tripadvisor
- 4 Have your say: End of consultation on plans for 860 Romford homes looms
- 5 TOWIE stars and West Ham footballer attend Upminster health centre's launch
- 6 TfL consultation opens on plans to extend ULEZ into Greater London
- 7 As many as 15 injured in Gidea Park bus crash
- 8 'Crucial' consultation begins on proposed changes to Lower Thames Crossing project
- 9 'Irreversible stress': Nearly 2,000 oppose move to suspend Cranham and Upminster midwifery service
- 10 Travel bulletin: Havering, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham
“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.
