A CALLOUS crook has been slammed for targeting hardworking nurses at Southend Hospital after stealing their personal items.

Nurses working at the renal unit in Southend Hospital had their bags, including wallets, keys and other personal items, stolen from the staff room.

The incident, which took place at roughly 11.30pm on Monday, has been reported to police and an investigation has been launched.

One patient, who was in the renal unit at the time, told the Echo: “It happened about a minute before I left the dialysis unit.

“I am disgusted. These nurses work so hard keeping us alive in dialysis, they don’t deserve this.”

The Mid and South Essex NHS Trust has confirmed bosses are helping police with the investigation and insisted they take the safety of patients and staff seriously and will also be investigating the circumstances behind the incident.

Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend Council, added: “I am appalled to hear of this incident.

“Our nurses work hard to look after sick and vulnerable people in our community.

“I hope the perpetrator is swiftly caught and feels the full force of criminal justice and a healthy dose of karmic justice too.

“I implore anyone with information to contact the police and I hope the thief has enough decency to return the items, which would likely have contained irreplaceable personal effects that the owners will be distressed to have had taken from them.”

Essex Police have urged anyone with information to get in touch.

A spokesman stated: “We were called shortly before 11.30pm on 21 October with a report of bags being stolen from Southend Hospital.

“If you have any information, please get in contact with us.

“Please quote incident number 1286 of October 21.”

Alternatively you can contact the independent crimefighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.