Nursing staff guard dying patients as heartless ‘thieves raid hospice’

The hunt is on for Britain’s most scumbag thieves after a balaclava-clad gang reportedly raided a hospice in the dead of night.

Terrified staff had to guard dying patients’ beds fearing the marauding crooks would storm into bedrooms at Overgate Hospice in Elland, West Yorkshire.

The thieves reportedly caused thousands of pounds in damage as they smashed their way into a counselling pod and spiritual space used for special events and by grieving relatives.

Alongside causing the extensive damage they also stole a large TV, a leaf blower, bottles of champagne used for special events including weddings and birthday and crucial fundraising equipment.

West Yorkshire Police are investigating the attack that took place at 4am on Sunday morning, but staff are now living in fear the three-strong gang may return.

Four members of nursing staff – three women and a man – were on duty caring for 12 terminally ill patients when they spotted the intruders on the grounds, dressed in black with their faces hidden by masks and balaclavas.

They immediately alerted police who arrived six minutes later just as the intruders fled.

Head of fundraising Rebecca Ryan said: “The police were brilliant and arrived in six minutes, which seems really quick, but for our staff it seemed an eternity. They were so professional during the event, and bravely guarded the people we have staying with us and their relatives, but obviously afterwards the shock has sunk in.

“You just cannot imagine the depths some people will sink to, we understand people can get desperate but breaking into a hospice is not something I’ve ever heard of before and is so upsetting.”

Police are now studying the CCTV but Rebecca believes they must have carried out a reconnaissance mission beforehand as they appear to know exactly where the security cameras are located.

She added: “It definitely seems to have been a targeted attack because they knew exactly where they were going and where the CCTV cameras are. That means they must have known we are a hospice but they just didn’t care.

“We do suddenly feel very vulnerable but the response from our community has been incredible. We have had lots of volunteers to repair things like the broken windows and smashed panels and we have received over £5,000 in donations. We really have gone from seeing the very worst in people to the very best.”

Chief executive Tracey Wilcocks added: “We are all in absolute shock. There’s nothing that can excuse this awful crime and the emotional impact it has on our patients, staff and volunteers.

“Some of our patients are currently receiving end of life care and for the nursing team to be taken away from providing that care in order to think of ways to protect them and contact the police is just not acceptable.

“These spaces are calm, loving and safe spaces where we support grieving family members, patients learning to cope with their terminal illnesses, and raise funds to build a new hospice for our community.

“While our counselling services has been affected this week, our care has not changed and our patients remain our top priority.

“Thankfully West Yorkshire Police have been brilliant and working to bring these criminals to justice and we would urge anyone out there with information to contact police directly and share any information you can.

“We will not let a few criminals stop the work we do here.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Police were called at 4:10am on Sunday, 5 January, to a report of three males acting suspiciously in the grounds of the Overgate Hospice on Hullen Edge Road, Elland.

“Officers attended and it was established that two outbuildings had been broken into. A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary and has been released on bail. Enquiries are ongoing. If anyone has any information that could assist the investigation, they are asked to contact police via Live Chat online or by calling 101, quoting crime reference 13250006751.”