Hospice targeted in 'sickening' metal theft
Eden Valley HospiceHospice chiefs providing end-of-life care say they have been "sickened" by a daytime theft.
Two men drove off with scrap metal taken from a garage at Eden Valley Hospice, in Carlisle, with bosses estimating its sale would have been enough to fund a night's nursing for one patient.
The organisation's chief executive, Julie Clayton, described the incident as a "slap in the face for everyone who supports us".
Police have released CCTV images of two suspects who they believe may be from north-east England.
Clayton said thieves entered the site shortly after midday on 10 April and fled with copper piping that had been removed from the hospice building as part of a refurbishment.
Eden Valley Hospice"We had the garage door open and they just helped themselves - loaded it up and drove off," she said.
"We've got really clear CCTV across the site and police are confident they'll be able to identify them.
"But we're sickened anyone would think a hospice was a fair target.
"It's a slap in the face for people who support us and fundraise for us, and most of all for patients receiving care at the time they're most vulnerable.
"We don't want our site to be like a fortress because we're part of the community and want people to feel welcome when they arrive, but we're having to be a bit tighter with our security."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cumbria Police.
