Thieves snatch digger in 'appalling' raid on Oakhaven Hospice

A CHARITY boss has slammed thieves who stole a digger worth thousands of pounds in an “appalling” raid on Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington.

At least two offenders are believed to have been involved in the theft which took place outside the palliative care hospice in Lower Pennington Lane sometime between 12.10am and 1.05am on Friday 1st November.

The white Terex TC16 mini digger, belonging to G Farwell Ltd, was taken from a fenced-off area and loaded into the back of a white van.

Amanda Clapham, head of fundraising and communications at Oakhaven Hospice, told the A&T the contractors had been using the vehicle to increase the car parking area for patients’ families.

The project started a few weeks ago and is due to be completed just before Christmas.

“Mr Farwell is very upset – as are we – that people could come onto the site of a hospice and steal while not far away there are very unwell patients,” Ms Clapham said.

“Mr Farwell said they should be very ashamed of themselves. It was very clearly planned and very brazen.

“It’s just really appalling that people could come into a hospice and do something like this.”

Police investigations into the incident are ongoing, with CCTV footage from the night the incident took place being reviewed.

People are being urged to come forward if they were in the area at the time and witnessed any suspicious activity.

Anyone with information should contact Hampshire officers on 101, quoting crime reference number 44190395340, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.