THIEVES broke into the cars of nurses working in Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

The car park at the county's main hospital was targeted on Saturday and Sunday night, with catalytic converters stolen from the cars of two nurses who were working 13-hour shifts.

A spokesman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “This was a thoughtless act impacting those that are working above and beyond to help those who are ill and it potentially impacts them being able to travel to and from work to look after people when we need them the most.”

A police investigation is now under way.

Detective Inspector Jack Taylor said: “The staff members’ cars appear to have been targeted by thieves who have stolen the catalytic converters from their vehicles.

“I cannot emphasise enough how disappointing it is at a time when our health care professionals are risking their lives to look after us that they would be targeted in such a manner.

“I can reassure the victims and the wider public that we are fully investigated this incident and that our officers are working hard to protect the whole community from such crimes.

“We will also be increasing our patrols in these areas over the coming days and weeks in order to warn and deter potential offenders.”

Police were called around 12pm on Sunday 5 April to a suspected catalytic converter theft at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

A staff member who had completed their shift noticed a strange noise from the car when it started and a colleague nearby in the car park reported the same thing.

They believed their catalytic converters had been removed and called the police. There has been a recent increase in the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles due to a rise in the value of the precious metals they contain.

Detective Taylor added: “Investigators are working closely with our partners at the hospital and I would like to hear from anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the hospital car parks on either Saturday, April 4 or Sunday, April 5 around parked vehicles.

“Please contact us on 101 with any information and quote incident number 204s.”