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| Theft of Great Ormond Street hospital Christmas presents 'beyond belief' | Theft of Great Ormond Street hospital Christmas presents 'beyond belief' |
| (17 days later) | |
| Even in a city where burglary is commonplace enough to be almost unremarkable, this was a crime of almost Dickensian heartlessness: the theft of wrapped Christmas gifts awaiting distribution to seriously ill children at London's Great Ormond Street hospital. | Even in a city where burglary is commonplace enough to be almost unremarkable, this was a crime of almost Dickensian heartlessness: the theft of wrapped Christmas gifts awaiting distribution to seriously ill children at London's Great Ormond Street hospital. |
| Up to 20 presents were stolen from a part of the famous children's facility not open to the public at some point between Friday and Monday, the Metropolitan police said, describing the crime as "beyond belief". | Up to 20 presents were stolen from a part of the famous children's facility not open to the public at some point between Friday and Monday, the Metropolitan police said, describing the crime as "beyond belief". |
| The gifts, including portable DVD players, games consoles and toys, were due to be given to children in the intensive care unit. | The gifts, including portable DVD players, games consoles and toys, were due to be given to children in the intensive care unit. |
| The hospital was immediately flooded with offers to replace the items, with an anonymous "long-term supporter" stepping in to provide replacements. Staff said they had taken a number of calls from individuals and companies asking if they could help. | The hospital was immediately flooded with offers to replace the items, with an anonymous "long-term supporter" stepping in to provide replacements. Staff said they had taken a number of calls from individuals and companies asking if they could help. |
| Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan police commissioner, said the crime was "pretty disgusting". Speaking on LBC radio he said: "You can't imagine anything worse in a way: children who are very ill and at Christmas. And somebody's taken the time to buy them something to cheer them up and somebody's stolen them. So it's pretty awful." | Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan police commissioner, said the crime was "pretty disgusting". Speaking on LBC radio he said: "You can't imagine anything worse in a way: children who are very ill and at Christmas. And somebody's taken the time to buy them something to cheer them up and somebody's stolen them. So it's pretty awful." |
| A statement from Inspector Neal Anderson said: "To steal presents that were supposed to be for children too sick to be at home with their families at Christmas is beyond belief. | A statement from Inspector Neal Anderson said: "To steal presents that were supposed to be for children too sick to be at home with their families at Christmas is beyond belief. |
| "I would urge anyone who has information about the individual, or persons, responsible to contact officers so that we can try and get the items back before Christmas Day. I would also urge the thief to try and think about their actions and do the decent thing and return them." | "I would urge anyone who has information about the individual, or persons, responsible to contact officers so that we can try and get the items back before Christmas Day. I would also urge the thief to try and think about their actions and do the decent thing and return them." |
| Great Ormond Street, which marked its 160th anniversary this year, is probably the most famous hospital in the UK and a world leader in paediatric care and research. Its celebrity has been further boosted this year with a BBC1 documentary series about its work and its inclusion in a section of the London Olympics opening ceremony celebrating the NHS. | Great Ormond Street, which marked its 160th anniversary this year, is probably the most famous hospital in the UK and a world leader in paediatric care and research. Its celebrity has been further boosted this year with a BBC1 documentary series about its work and its inclusion in a section of the London Olympics opening ceremony celebrating the NHS. |
| The hospital is funded by charitable donations, notably royalties from Peter Pan, which author JM Barrie bequeathed to Great Ormond Street. | The hospital is funded by charitable donations, notably royalties from Peter Pan, which author JM Barrie bequeathed to Great Ormond Street. |
| A hospital spokeswoman said: "We can confirm there has been a theft and are fully co-operating with the police. We have been overwhelmed by generous offers from individuals and companies to replace the missing items. These items have now been replaced by a long-term supporter. Thank you to everyone who has contacted us for their concern and kindness." | A hospital spokeswoman said: "We can confirm there has been a theft and are fully co-operating with the police. We have been overwhelmed by generous offers from individuals and companies to replace the missing items. These items have now been replaced by a long-term supporter. Thank you to everyone who has contacted us for their concern and kindness." |
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