Heartless thieves target on-duty nurse

Jane Edwards, 49, was visiting a patient in Mercury Walk in Highfield, Hemel Hempstead last Thursday night (January 7), when she left her work laptop and handbag in the footwell of her white Seat Leon by mistake.

When she returned to the vehicle at 8.50pm, she found the passenger window had been smashed and her belongings stolen.

Jane, who lives in Chaulden, said: “When I realised what had happened I was hysterical. I called my husband straight away and he had to calm me down.

“It was the fact that even though I have a sticker saying ‘Nurse on call’ in the windscreen, they still took my things. They don’t care who they steal from.

“I know I shouldn’t have left them in the footwell but we all make mistakes. I’ve learned my lesson.”

The laptop, which did contain patient records, was encrypted so Jane says there is no way the thieves would be able to access the information.

The theft has caused Jane and her family extra heartbreak because her purse contained the only photograph of her late father-in-law, which they were due to get framed.

The nurse, who has worked for the NHS for 13 years, said: “It’s of no use to them, they won’t be able to get into the laptop.

“I wish they would just hand it in.

“I don’t know what to do with myself.”

The damage to her car meant Jane, who is based at Gossoms End in Berkhamsted but works in Hemel Hempstead, was unable to work on Friday because she hadto wait for her car to be fixed, as well as cancelling her bank cards.

If you have any information regarding this incident, call Herts Police on 101 quoting crime number D1/16/161.