paulk
03-14-2008, 10:53 AM
Dorset Echo, UK
POLICE and staff at a Dorchester hospital have hailed CCTV after it helped convict a man who stole a purse on a ward.
The CCTV system at Dorset County Hospital played a key role in catching the thief, who has now been given a suspended jail sentence by Weymouth magistrates.
And the conviction sends out a message to thieves - you will be caught and prosecuted.
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The system was upgraded last year and has been boosted by a direct radio link between the hospital's A&E department and the police. This link to the police and CCTV control centre operators led to the arrest of a man filmed as he stole a purse on a ward.
The hospital's security specialist, Scot Sherrard, said: "This would-be thief targeted the hospital and much to his dismay found that if you steal, attempt to steal or offer violence or abuse at this hospital, the likelihood of you being caught and prosecuted has vastly increased.
"This can be credited to a close working partnership with the police and the CCTV operators.
"In addition, there are many other initiatives being worked on by the partnership. The response times from Dorset Police to incidents at the hospital are second to none and the addition of the enhanced CCTV and direct link radio network is now paying dividends.
"The message to those either offering violence or who think they can steal from the hospital is beware - we are watching you and when we do catch you we will pursue a prosecution."
Inspector Les Fry of Dorchester Police said: "This man went there to steal but in this instance the CCTV film was looked at and a picture identified the thief. He was then arrested and it led to a successful prosecution.
"It's a really good result for the hospital, the police and the community.
"We hope anyone who thinks they can come to the hospital and commit crime will think again - they'll be caught."
The Original Article can be found here: Hospital thieves (http://www.thisisdorset.net/display.var.2119593.0.hospital_thieves_will_be_cau ght.php)
POLICE and staff at a Dorchester hospital have hailed CCTV after it helped convict a man who stole a purse on a ward.
The CCTV system at Dorset County Hospital played a key role in catching the thief, who has now been given a suspended jail sentence by Weymouth magistrates.
And the conviction sends out a message to thieves - you will be caught and prosecuted.
advertisement
The system was upgraded last year and has been boosted by a direct radio link between the hospital's A&E department and the police. This link to the police and CCTV control centre operators led to the arrest of a man filmed as he stole a purse on a ward.
The hospital's security specialist, Scot Sherrard, said: "This would-be thief targeted the hospital and much to his dismay found that if you steal, attempt to steal or offer violence or abuse at this hospital, the likelihood of you being caught and prosecuted has vastly increased.
"This can be credited to a close working partnership with the police and the CCTV operators.
"In addition, there are many other initiatives being worked on by the partnership. The response times from Dorset Police to incidents at the hospital are second to none and the addition of the enhanced CCTV and direct link radio network is now paying dividends.
"The message to those either offering violence or who think they can steal from the hospital is beware - we are watching you and when we do catch you we will pursue a prosecution."
Inspector Les Fry of Dorchester Police said: "This man went there to steal but in this instance the CCTV film was looked at and a picture identified the thief. He was then arrested and it led to a successful prosecution.
"It's a really good result for the hospital, the police and the community.
"We hope anyone who thinks they can come to the hospital and commit crime will think again - they'll be caught."
The Original Article can be found here: Hospital thieves (http://www.thisisdorset.net/display.var.2119593.0.hospital_thieves_will_be_cau ght.php)