Hospice buildings ransacked by thieves

Thieves have broken into a hospice in West Yorkshire, stealing items and causing thousands of pounds of damage.

Nurses at Overgate Hospice in Elland, near Halifax, said they saw three men "acting suspiciously" in the grounds in the early hours of 5 January.

Staff later found that items including a TV, kettle and alcohol had been stolen and counselling pods used for bereaved relatives had been badly damaged.

West Yorkshire Police said a 43-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of burglary and released on bail.

Tracey Wilcocks, chief executive at Overgate, said it was "beyond belief" that people would steal from a hospice.

An outbuilding was broken into, costly glass doors were smashed and the counselling pods remain out of action, she said.

Most of the stolen goods, including a hoover and bottles of red wine, were found dumped nearby, Ms Wilcocks also said.

"There's nothing that can excuse this awful crime and the emotional impact it has on our patients, staff and volunteers.

"We are all in absolute shock.

"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," she added.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said enquiries were ongoing and anyone with information should contact the force.

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