Hospitals suffer string of violence and thefts
Thefts, burglaries and attacks with weapons are among scores of crimes taking place at hospitals across Staffordshire and the Black Country every year, figures revealed today.
The figures show a string of crimes were reported at hospitals in the region between October last year and the end of March.
In total, 96 offences took place, with 41 at Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital – more than at any other hospital in the region. South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson said the figures were 'deeply concerning'.
The figures show that at Russells Hall Hospital in March, there were five anti-social behaviour incidents, two burglaries, one theft and a single violent crime. The month before, there were three violent crimes and six anti-social behaviour incidents while in November, there was one public disorder crime that involved a weapon.
New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton recorded 25 incidents during the six months. They included 10 violent crimes, five thefts and two drugs offences.
Elsewhere, the Walsall Manor and Dorothy Pattison Hospital recorded a combined number of 11 crimes. Those included six thefts and three public disorder crimes that involved weapons.
Scandal-hit Stafford Hospital saw 14 crimes taking place during the six months, with theft, anti-social behaviour and violent incidents among those reported.
Cannock Chase Hospital recorded four crimes while Sandwell General Hospital only had one, and Rowley Regis Hospital recording no incidents.
Mr Williamson said hospital visits were stressful enough without the fear of crime.
He added: "People going into hospital expect to be cared for and that they and their belongings will be safe and secure. These figures show that there is a threat to that.
"I will be expecting that all chief executives of hospitals to be looking at how they can clamp down on security to ensure that wards are safe and that people are not under any undue concern and stress that their own personal safety and valuables are not under threat. People in hospital are under an immense amount of stress worrying about treatment and for those people to get well quickly, we need to see a totally stress-free environment."
John Mellor, president of the Wolverhampton Pensioners' Convention, added: "Crime occurs everywhere. Hospitals are no exception, but they are special places and it is up to the authorities to ensure that arrangements are such that the public is protected from any sort of crime."
