Health bosses ste up safety measures at Warringotn Hospital (From This Is Cheshire)

Health bosses ste up safety measures at Warringotn Hospital

9:20am Thursday 28th January 2010 in

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CRIMINALS have been warned that prosecutions will follow attacks at Warrington Hospitals.

The warning from the security management team for the Warrington hospitals follows a freedom of information request which revealed that 229 crimes were reported at the borough’s hospitals and health centres.

Crimes ranging from burglary to sexual offences and violent offences were logged by Cheshire Police during the three-year period between 2006 and 2009.

Chris Todd, security management specialist at the hospitals, said: “Sanctions including court action were brought in six cases in the past year which I believe has acted as a deterrent to other would be offenders.

“A&E can still be a flashpoint. We see a lot of people who are probably perfectly pleasant on a normal day act in a violent and abusive manner after a few drinks. The message from us is clear – it is unacceptable and we will involve the police and take court action so we’d urge people to think about their actions.”

The figures show a slight fall in crime since 2008, with 16 fewer incidents recorded.

Close to 70 per cent of offences in 2008 were reported to have taken place at Warrington Hospital with Hollins Park, Spire Hospital and Arbury Court contributing to the minority of incidents.

Mr Todd added that the hospitals work closely with the police and said all electronic equipment is branded with SmartWater forensic marking.

CCTV is in use in hospitals and the police have used mobile vans to combat attempted car crime on the sites.

Body worn video cameras called VIEVU have recently been introduced to security staff at Warrington, so incidents can be recorded as they happen.

Mr Todd added: “While statistics need to be put in context of a busy hospital site providing care to over 400,000 people a year, knowing that we are working hard to ensure their safety and are using new technology to help do this hopefully gives people some peace of mind.”

Figures released by the NHS Security Management Service show there has actually been a steady decline in violent incidents at Warrington Hospital and Halton General Hospital. Figures have fallen by 42 per cent in two years.

Ch Insp Jon Ward said: “Officers liaise regularly with officials at the site and are working with them on a number of crime reduction initiatives.”

Anyone with information relating to crime should call the police on 0845 458 0000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.