Paramedic’s belongings stolen as she treats sick patient in Dagenham

A paramedic had her personal belongings stolen from an ambulance while she was treating a sick resident in their home.

Fay Sibley and her colleague Victoria Artus were attending to a patient in Gale Street, Dagenham at around 4am on Sunday (December 16) when Fay’s bag was taken from the vehicle.

Among the items in the bag were a pair of reading glasses and an iPod.

The 26-year-old, who discovered her belongings were missing when she arrived at Queen’s Hospital around half an hour later, said she was shocked at the “audacity” of the thief.

“To steal from an ambulance crew, who are there to help people, is extraordinary,” she told the Post. “But actually it has happened to a few of my colleagues recently. This type of crime seems to be getting worse.”

Fay said the ambulance was taken out of use while the incident was reported to police.

“This means that it was not available to send to a potentially life threatening emergency,” she explained. Police are investigating the theft. Anyone who witnessed the crime or has information about the theft should contact officers by dialling 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Barking and Dagenham Ambulance operations manager Paul Gibson said: “This is a very sad and frustrating incident, especially as our staff were serving the community at the time. We should be able to care for patients without becoming the victims of crime.

“We will work with the police to try and pursue the matter, but unfortunately all too often these kinds of cases are unresolved.”