A total of seven bicycle thefts from Harrogate District Hospital have been reported to North Yorkshire Police since the beginning of April.
The thefts – including from key workers on long shifts – are being investigated by the Harrogate neighbourhood policing team, which says it is committed to finding the people responsible.
The force is also offering hospital staff and local residents the option to have their bikes security marked, by appointment only, in an effort to discourage the crime.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said:
“Since the beginning of April this year, there have been seven bicycles stolen from the Harrogate District Hospital site. Members of staff who have been dealing with the coronavirus crisis are among those who have been affected by these incidents.
“This is clearly outrageous and the Harrogate Neighbourhood Policing Team are working hard to identify those responsible and are helping staff to increase cycle security.”
The thefts are being investigated by police, who have reassured staff that those responsible will be found.
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Harrogate District Hospital is looking into further security measures following the incident. A trust spokesperson said:
One more coronavirus death reported at Harrogate District Hospital“We know it is frustrating and upsetting to have a bike stolen. We’re currently looking at what we can do to improve bike storage facilities on the Harrogate District Hospital site.”
Another patient has died at Harrogate District Hospital after being diagnosed with coronavirus, bringing the total number of deaths under Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust to 48.
The hospital this week confirmed that it has treated and discharged 70 patients diagnosed with Covid-19.
The patient died yesterday, May 1st, according to details released today by NHS England, which confirmed 370 deaths across the country. It brings the total for England to 20,853.
Of those confirmed today to have died, 25 had no known underlying health conditions. All patients were aged between 38 and 100.
NHS England has this week begun releasing daily data for deaths where the patient did not have a confirmed diagnosis, but where Covid-19 was listed on the death certificate. The statistics are only available for deaths which have occurred since April 24th, and are only divided by region.
In the North East and Yorkshire, five patients have this week died with suspected Covid-19. The total number of deaths in the region since the outbreak is 2,839, but this does not include deaths outside hospitals, such as in care homes.
This week, for the first time, data was released to show the number of deaths in care homes and other areas of the community in patients with suspected Covid-19. In the Harrogate district, 22 people are reported to have died with symptoms of the virus up to April 17th.