Toys at Wolverhampton children's ward locked up after thefts
DVDs and computer games are being locked away in a cupboard on a children's ward at a Black Country hospital after a series of thefts.
Staff at New Cross in Wolverhampton were forced to take action after the items started going missing.
It comes as families at a hospital in South Wales were left stunned when nurses chained toys to patients' cots to deter thieves.
They used a bicycle chain to secure a musical toy to a cot being used by a two-year-old boy being treated for bronchiolitis.
Bosses in Wolverhampton say the thefts are not a regular occurrence but they want to prevent any more happening.
But they have insisted they do not want to deter people from donating toys.
Wolverhampton City Council health boss Councillor Sandra Samuels said she was shocked that staff needed to take these measures.
She said: "I think it is very sad because toys are often donated. It is very selfish, because these toys can be used by all the children who come through the hospital's doors.
"Parents come to wards when they have sick children in order to be with them, and it is unacceptable for any of them to take any toys or computer games.
"I think it also shows the state of the economy that some of these people would steal them, as many of these items can be bought second hand for next to nothing. But you shouldn't have to tell people not to steal from a children's ward."
Senior matron at New Cross Julie Plant said: "From time to time some toys do go missing but we do not secure them to cots and beds.
"Some items like DVDs and computer games are locked away when not in use. We are extremely grateful to the many members of the public and local companies whose kind and generous donations enable us to provide toys and games for children in hospital."
Cannock Hospital, The County Hospital in Stafford, Russells Hall in Dudley, Sandwell Hospital and Birmingham's City Hospital, and Walsall Manor, all confirmed they do not chain toys to cots and say thefts have not been a problem.
Bosses at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, South Wales, had warned visitors to be 'vigilant' with their valuables following the thefts.
