Fourteen hospitals in Wales have started chaining
children's toys and other playthings to beds in an attempt to prevent
thieves from stealing them. The Royal Gwent Hospital is using bicycle
locks to keep its toys from being stolen. Dean Beddis, father of a
two-year-old who was a patient in the children's ward, said he was
appalled that anyone would steal toys from a hospital. He told
reporters: "These toys are there for kids who are seriously ill. They're
provided by the hospital and people are stealing them. I was shocked to
see that a children's toy had a bike lock on it." He added: "I was
talking to the nurses about how disgusting it was that they had to do
that because they were saying that people had been stealing them."
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A hospital spokesman said:
"Unfortunately we do get toys and games taken from our hospitals. It is
not a regular occurrence but we do encourage staff to secure and lock
away the more popular and more expensive items. Our hospitals have CCTV
coverage and security on site at all times." He added: "As with any
large buildings open to the public, we advise visitors and our own staff
to be vigilant with valuables." It is not only toys that are being
stolen. The television in the waiting room of the children's ward has
also gone missing. Mr Beddis said: "Stealing toys while the hospital
staff are looking after their children is a sad reflection on society. I
cannot believe this is happening in Britain."
