Wolverhampton's Compton Hospice targeted by thieves for third time in JUST one year

An industrial-sized hedge trimmer and strimmer were stolen from a shed at its Cedars site on Compton Road West between 11am and 1pm on Monday. Gardeners had left the building unlocked for a short time and were working out of sight of it when the crooks struck.

In May last year raiders caused £20,000 damage to the same site by taking lead from the roof of the Education and Training Centre during bad weather and returning two days later to take more lead from The Cedars where the Lymphoedema outpatients clinic is held.

Grace Ruston, a member of the hospice fund raising team, said: "Although this time the thieves got away with a much smaller amount, we are just as disappointed and upset that these individuals feel it is ok to steal from a charity.

"This is the third time in less than a year that the hospice has been targeted and this equipment is used on a regular basis to ensure that the gardens and grounds of our Cedars site are kept in the very best condition for our patients and visitors to enjoy.

"All the staff work incredibly hard to provide the very best level of care for patients which includes creating a warm, welcoming and safe environment. What is upsetting is that those responsible for these thefts seemingly have no consideration for the impact their actions will have on the hospice and those we support."

Anybody with information about the recent staff is asked to contact West Midlands Police on 101.